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Popcorn (Ben Elton)
Encyclopedia
Popcorn is a 1996 novel by the British writer Ben Elton
. It shares themes with a number of movies from the mid-1990s, most notably Natural Born Killers
by Oliver Stone
and Pulp Fiction
and Reservoir Dogs
by Quentin Tarantino
.
The protagonist, Bruce Delamitiri, is an artist who works in the motion picture industry. Many people in the US think that, by making these movies, Bruce makes killing cool. Numerous characters throughout the book imply that he encourages everyone who's watching these movies to kill for fun. Bruce, on the other hand, defends himself by telling everyone that he doesn’t think he encourages anyone to do anything. He says that there has always been violence but humans are not like robots, seeing something on the screen does not necessarily make us want to do it ourselves( p. 13 "people get up from the movie theatre or the TV and do what they just saw"). He also claims that he is just showing existing violence. Unfortunately for Bruce, Wayne and Scout (a pair of psychopaths known in the media as "the mall murderers") have formulated a plan to hold him hostage and have him publicly announce that his movies are responsible for their crimes so they can avoid the death penalty (Wayne has a lengthy speech giving examples of how in America it is possible to be guilty and innocent at the same time.) As the novel progresses, Bruce and a critically injured Brooke Daniels are joined inside his house by his wife and daughter and a TV camera crew. The siege reaches its climax as Wayne holds a ratings monitor and announces on live TV that he will spare the hostages if everyone stops watching the siege in the next few minutes - however, this does not happen and he begins firing as the LAPD begin a frantic attempt to subdue him. Many of the characters die in the ensuing violence and the Epilogue of the story reveils grimly details how all of the survivors have found a way of escaping responsibility for the tragedy (using varying routes from lawsuits and finding religion to making documentaries which explicitly blame everyone else.) The book ends with the line "No one has taken responsibility" - echoing an earlier rant by Bruce that we have created a blame free society in which any problem or shortcoming can be blamed on others rather than accepting responsibility for our own actions.
Popcorn deals with the theme of taking responsibility for one's own actions, and how this has been lost in a modern society in which everybody can find someone else to blame for their own faults.
The word "responsibility" is used frequently throughout the novel, in both narrative text and in dialogue.
Cultural significance:
Popcorn stayed at the top of the hardback best-seller lists for quite some time before being released in paperback and has been translated and published widely around the world. It is also a successful West End play now at the Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1 (directed by Laurence Boswell). Popcorn is also available as an audiobook read by John Sessions.
Mary Whitehouse praised Popcorn for its attack on sex and violence in the movies but Ben Elton has said "I don't think balanced people can be driven to be any different from what they are ... The suggestion is that those who are open to anti-social behaviour may be seduced into believing it is the norm ... I feel slightly exposed here because I am putting a point I don't entirely believe." (The Daily Telegraph, July 29, 1996).
Joel Schumacher (Flatliners, Falling Down, Batman Forever) has announced plans to direct the film version, and will apparently star Jeff Goldblum, Nathan Lane and Ellen Barkin.
's Gold Dagger Award.
Ben Elton
Benjamin Charles "Ben" Elton is an English comedian, author, playwright and director. He was a leading figure in the British alternative comedy movement of the 1980s, as a writer on such cult series as The Young Ones and Blackadder, as well as also a successful stand-up comedian on stage and TV....
. It shares themes with a number of movies from the mid-1990s, most notably Natural Born Killers
Natural Born Killers
Natural Born Killers is a 1994 crime/black comedy film directed by Oliver Stone about two victims of traumatic childhoods who became lovers and psychopathic serial killers, and are irresponsibly glorified by the mass media...
by Oliver Stone
Oliver Stone
William Oliver Stone is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. Stone became well known in the late 1980s and the early 1990s for directing a series of films about the Vietnam War, for which he had previously participated as an infantry soldier. His work frequently focuses on...
and Pulp Fiction
Pulp Fiction (film)
Pulp Fiction is a 1994 American crime film directed by Quentin Tarantino, who co-wrote its screenplay with Roger Avary. The film is known for its rich, eclectic dialogue, ironic mix of humor and violence, nonlinear storyline, and host of cinematic allusions and pop culture references...
and Reservoir Dogs
Reservoir Dogs
Reservoir Dogs is an American crime film marking debut of director and writer Quentin Tarantino. It depicts the events before and after a botched diamond heist, but not the heist itself. Reservoir Dogs stars an ensemble cast: Harvey Keitel, Steve Buscemi, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn, and...
by Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Jerome Tarantino is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer and actor. In the early 1990s, he began his career as an independent filmmaker with films employing nonlinear storylines and the aestheticization of violence...
.
Plot summary
The book takes place in different parts of Los Angeles, US. The date is never actually specified, but various clues suggest it is set in the near future. Mostly the story takes place in the centre of Hollywood. The book depicts the differences between different social groups in America, from rich people with guards like Bruce Delamitri to poorer people Wayne and Scout.The protagonist, Bruce Delamitiri, is an artist who works in the motion picture industry. Many people in the US think that, by making these movies, Bruce makes killing cool. Numerous characters throughout the book imply that he encourages everyone who's watching these movies to kill for fun. Bruce, on the other hand, defends himself by telling everyone that he doesn’t think he encourages anyone to do anything. He says that there has always been violence but humans are not like robots, seeing something on the screen does not necessarily make us want to do it ourselves( p. 13 "people get up from the movie theatre or the TV and do what they just saw"). He also claims that he is just showing existing violence. Unfortunately for Bruce, Wayne and Scout (a pair of psychopaths known in the media as "the mall murderers") have formulated a plan to hold him hostage and have him publicly announce that his movies are responsible for their crimes so they can avoid the death penalty (Wayne has a lengthy speech giving examples of how in America it is possible to be guilty and innocent at the same time.) As the novel progresses, Bruce and a critically injured Brooke Daniels are joined inside his house by his wife and daughter and a TV camera crew. The siege reaches its climax as Wayne holds a ratings monitor and announces on live TV that he will spare the hostages if everyone stops watching the siege in the next few minutes - however, this does not happen and he begins firing as the LAPD begin a frantic attempt to subdue him. Many of the characters die in the ensuing violence and the Epilogue of the story reveils grimly details how all of the survivors have found a way of escaping responsibility for the tragedy (using varying routes from lawsuits and finding religion to making documentaries which explicitly blame everyone else.) The book ends with the line "No one has taken responsibility" - echoing an earlier rant by Bruce that we have created a blame free society in which any problem or shortcoming can be blamed on others rather than accepting responsibility for our own actions.
Characters
- Bruce Delamitri – the main protagonist, an arrogant filmmaker who has become controversial for the celluloid violence he produces.
- Wayne – A brutal and sadistic killer.
- Scout – Wayne's lover and accomplice.
- Brooke Daniels – A vaguely deranged model and aspiring actress.
- Velvet Delamitri – Bruce's estranged daughter.
- Farrah Delamitri – Bruce's estranged wife.
- Karl Brezner – Bruce's producer.
- Kirstin – Television crew member
- Bill – Television crew member
Structure and themes
The book is told from an omniscient point of view, allowing the reader perspective on many situations and the main characters' emotions. The story is created in retro perspective. It starts to show Bruce the day after it all happened. After that there are glimpses from everywhere in 24 hours until the day after.Popcorn deals with the theme of taking responsibility for one's own actions, and how this has been lost in a modern society in which everybody can find someone else to blame for their own faults.
The word "responsibility" is used frequently throughout the novel, in both narrative text and in dialogue.
Cultural significance:
Popcorn stayed at the top of the hardback best-seller lists for quite some time before being released in paperback and has been translated and published widely around the world. It is also a successful West End play now at the Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1 (directed by Laurence Boswell). Popcorn is also available as an audiobook read by John Sessions.
Mary Whitehouse praised Popcorn for its attack on sex and violence in the movies but Ben Elton has said "I don't think balanced people can be driven to be any different from what they are ... The suggestion is that those who are open to anti-social behaviour may be seduced into believing it is the norm ... I feel slightly exposed here because I am putting a point I don't entirely believe." (The Daily Telegraph, July 29, 1996).
Joel Schumacher (Flatliners, Falling Down, Batman Forever) has announced plans to direct the film version, and will apparently star Jeff Goldblum, Nathan Lane and Ellen Barkin.
Awards and nominations
It won the 1996 Crime Writers' AssociationCrime Writers' Association
The Crime Writers Association is a writers' association in the United Kingdom. Founded by John Creasey in 1953, it is currently chaired by Peter James and claims 450+ members....
's Gold Dagger Award.