Based on the classic novel by William Faulkner, first published in 1930, "As I Lay Dying" is the story of the death of Addie Bundren and her family's quest to honor her last wish to be burie... Read allBased on the classic novel by William Faulkner, first published in 1930, "As I Lay Dying" is the story of the death of Addie Bundren and her family's quest to honor her last wish to be buried in the nearby town of Jefferson.Based on the classic novel by William Faulkner, first published in 1930, "As I Lay Dying" is the story of the death of Addie Bundren and her family's quest to honor her last wish to be buried in the nearby town of Jefferson.
- Awards
- 2 wins & 1 nomination
- Cora Tull
- (as Jennifer Howell)
- Mrs. Armstid
- (as Jessica Wilkinson)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe original book on which the movie is based is told from the perspective of 15 different characters over 59 chapters. Split screens are used throughout much of the movie to reflect the characters' different perspectives.
- Goofs(at around 23 mins) Just as Anse says "She's going to a better place" before the reverend starts to sing "Shall We Gather at the River" the boom mic is visible above his head.
- Quotes
[first lines]
Addie Bundren: My father used to say that the reason for living was to get ready to stay dead for a long time.
- ConnectionsFeatured in At the Movies: Cannes Film Festival 2013 (2013)
- SoundtracksShall We Gather at the River?
(uncredited)
Written by Robert Lowry
Performed by Funeral Service Attendees
In fact, i'm not sure i'd even call it an adaptation. It IS the book. I cant think of any other movie that was truer to the source material. Obviously the book is much more long winded, and is filled with long, and often puzzling monologues from all the main characters. It's more dream like, and ponderous. But i cant think of anything that the movie left out, or missed, or put it's particular "spin" on, it was all dead on.
That said, the book is a difficult read. The movie is equally difficult. You could read the entire book, and have little idea what it's about. Similarly, you could easily watch this entire movie and be completely puzzled by it. There's a lot of important plot points that gets covered, and you barely even have time to realize exactly what it is the characters are saying. Once again though, the book is the same. Questions like: why is Varadamin's mom a fish? Why is Jewel's mom a horse? Why doesn't Darl have a mom? These are sort of answered, just like in the book, but they also seem completely absurd to even ask. It's a story more about the people involved in it, and not so much about the events that take place, or even the truthfulness of anything or anyone.
I would imagine most viewers will struggle to even understand what it is that the characters are saying, as they all have thick southern accents, Anse being almost unintelligible. Adding to the confusing is the fact that most everything they say is highly complex, poetry like prose that doesn't particularly care if you're following closely or not, they're still going to say it. Once again, pretty much how the book is.
So it's a difficult to understand book, and it's a difficult to understand movie. I certainly loved it, but i suspect most viewers will hate it.
- RJR99SS
- Nov 29, 2013
- How long is As I Lay Dying?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $5,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $16,697
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $7,143
- Oct 13, 2013
- Gross worldwide
- $71,759
- Runtime1 hour 50 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1