18 February 2004
waaay too much thought
Is there a way to write an original story about kidnapping? Inquiring minds need to know.
I'm watching The way of the gun again and trying to figure out if there's a way to put a new wrinkle on the whole kidnapping genre. Or at least a different one.
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I didn't like _Way of the Gun_ too much, save for the actual kidnapping scene, and the well-executed, rational duck-and-cover system used by the antiheroes ("Clear!" -- "Moving!"). I was riveted during that scene, but then largely didn't care about the rest.
As for your question: the twist to any "original" kidnapping has to be in the execution of the snatch. At root, all kidnappings are the same, as are all bank robberies and murders and .
Self-kidnapping has been done (an episode of "Strange Luck", I think the show as called).
False kidnapping has been done (Big Lebowski).
The problem with kidnapping is that it rarely works. Most kidnappers demand money in exchange for the hostage. How do you make the exchange? How do you ensure you won't be tracked / tricked / exploited?
Most kidnappers aren't prepared to kill their victims, because then they don't get the goods.
It's a lose-lose situation all the way around. How can one change that, such that kidnapping _is_ a viable means to an end? How could hostage release _not_ jeopardize the perpetrator? How can the perp ensure safety, anonymity, _and_ victory?
Stories involving kidnapping that pop into my head: Fargo, Raising Arizona, Excess Baggage, Life Less Ordinary, The Deep End of the Ocean, The Face on the Milk Carton, Ransom, Ghostbusters 2, Hook, Romancing the Stone, Labyrinth, The Last Unicorn, Legend, Minority Report, Savannah Smiles, Overboard, The Princess Bride, Tron, Return From Witch Mountain, 12 Monkeys, Starman.
Yeah, some are creative, some aren't.
Wow. That is a lot of useful information, though I'll need to forget about Starman if I want to be able to watch it with a clean slate. So after all of those what can I do differently?
You've never seen Starman? I can't wait to talk to you after you've watched it.
What can you do different? Dunno. Let me know when you figure it out!