Steve Martin in "Leap of Faith"

Questioninggeller · 19th February 2007, 12:32 PM

I know Randi has said:

Quote:

I counted nineteen items that were taken directly from my book, and several instances of the same dialog being used that was quoted in my book. Without those extracts and usages, they would not have had a story at all. The script was most decidedly based upon my book, with the only change being a love-interest worked in.

http://www.randi.org/jr/120701.html

Is the movie good? How is its treatment of faith healing? I tried to find the trailer online, but to no avail.

Tricky · 19th February 2007, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by Questioninggeller

I know Randi has said:
http://www.randi.org/jr/120701.html

Is the movie good? How is its treatment of faith healing? I tried to find the trailer online, but to no avail.

Sentimental slop. The parts that Randi wrote were good, showing the tricks these guys use, but the characters are one-dimensional characatures of real people. The plot was strictly Hollywood assembly line. In the end, the charlatan finds love and produces a real miracle. You don't have to be psychic to have predicted that.

I can see why Randi was outraged (I wonder what happened to the lawsuit?) because they took his book to set up something that goes against everything his book was about.

Overman · 19th February 2007, 12:59 PM

Taking nothing away from 5 Time SNLer Steve Martian...

1....2....3.....4....5

"You're great."

"No, you're great."

pgwenthold · 19th February 2007, 01:19 PM

Please, call him Mr. STEVE Martin

Beanbag · 19th February 2007, 05:15 PM

There is nothing new in Hollywood. Yes, charlatan healers use headset radios -- Randi himself exposed that one on the Tonite Show. They have shills in the audience gathering information. They basically use the same proven (and not too secret) methods of mentalists and magicians.

So Mr. Randi didn't get credited. Well, if he was the sole source for the information about the gags and grifts, he might have a leg to stand on. The information was already out there. I recall an interview with Steve Martin where he attended a faith healers' convention in disguise to pick up on the current level of technology they use. It was on television, some late night show, so I can't index or link back to it.

I saw the movie -- there isn't anything in the story that could be linked directly back to Randi's book except in a very vague and general fashion. I do think it might have been better to have brought Randi on board as a special consultant. He has a wealth of information that could have made the movie better.

Beanbag

gnome · 19th February 2007, 05:19 PM

What about the parts he referred to as "direct quotes"?

Beanbag · 19th February 2007, 05:54 PM

I can't speak for the quotes, 'cause I haven't read that particular Randi book. So I could be wrong.

Won't be the last time. Certainly not the first.

Beanbag

19th February 2007, 12:32 PM	#1
Questioninggeller Illuminator Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 3,048	Steve Martin in "Leap of Faith" I know Randi has said: Quote: I counted nineteen items that were taken directly from my book, and several instances of the same dialog being used that was quoted in my book. Without those extracts and usages, they would not have had a story at all. The script was most decidedly based upon my book, with the only change being a love-interest worked in. http://www.randi.org/jr/120701.html Is the movie good? How is its treatment of faith healing? I tried to find the trailer online, but to no avail.

19th February 2007, 12:59 PM	#3
Overman Master Poster Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 2,629	Taking nothing away from 5 Time SNLer Steve Martian... 1....2....3.....4....5 "You're great." "No, you're great."
Overman Master Poster Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 2,629	__________________ Our new album 'The Future is Gonna be Great' on iTunes!!! Our old 'The Evolution EP' still on iTunes

19th February 2007, 01:19 PM	#4
pgwenthold Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 20,229	Please, call him Mr. STEVE Martin
	__________________ "As your friend, I have to be honest with you: I don't care about you or your problems" - Chloe, Secret Life of Pets

19th February 2007, 05:15 PM	#5
Beanbag Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 3,468	There is nothing new in Hollywood. Yes, charlatan healers use headset radios -- Randi himself exposed that one on the Tonite Show. They have shills in the audience gathering information. They basically use the same proven (and not too secret) methods of mentalists and magicians. So Mr. Randi didn't get credited. Well, if he was the sole source for the information about the gags and grifts, he might have a leg to stand on. The information was already out there. I recall an interview with Steve Martin where he attended a faith healers' convention in disguise to pick up on the current level of technology they use. It was on television, some late night show, so I can't index or link back to it. I saw the movie -- there isn't anything in the story that could be linked directly back to Randi's book except in a very vague and general fashion. I do think it might have been better to have brought Randi on board as a special consultant. He has a wealth of information that could have made the movie better. Beanbag
Beanbag Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 3,468

19th February 2007, 05:19 PM	#6
gnome Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 11,312	What about the parts he referred to as "direct quotes"?
	__________________

19th February 2007, 12:40 PM	#2
Tricky Briefly immortal Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The Group W Bench Posts: 44,381	Originally Posted by Questioninggeller I know Randi has said: http://www.randi.org/jr/120701.html Is the movie good? How is its treatment of faith healing? I tried to find the trailer online, but to no avail. Sentimental slop. The parts that Randi wrote were good, showing the tricks these guys use, but the characters are one-dimensional characatures of real people. The plot was strictly Hollywood assembly line. In the end, the charlatan finds love and produces a real miracle. You don't have to be psychic to have predicted that. I can see why Randi was outraged (I wonder what happened to the lawsuit?) because they took his book to set up something that goes against everything his book was about.

19th February 2007, 05:54 PM	#7
Beanbag Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 3,468	I can't speak for the quotes, 'cause I haven't read that particular Randi book. So I could be wrong. Won't be the last time. Certainly not the first. Beanbag
Beanbag Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 3,468