I See London I See France by Paulita Kincer: My Book the Movie

Paulita Kincer, author of I See London I See France is taking over my blog today! I loved her book so much I asked Paulita to imagine that her novel had been optioned by someone in Hollywood - Megan Ellison, are you out there? - and to share her dreamcast with us. Take it away, Paulita!

Thanks, Sim, for your amazing review of my novel I See London I See France. Still gives me chills. If you haven’t read it yet, please check it out here. 

The novel begins in Ohio with stay-at-home mom Caroline and her husband Scott having a typical married fight that ends with him walking out the door. Stuck home with her three children, aged nine to five, Caroline decides to go in search of the energetic, dream-filled girl she used to be. She sells her minivan and takes her three kids on a quest for herself.
At the beginning of the novel, Caroline is a little beaten down, but she definitely has a feisty streak. I think it was the feisty streak that led me to choose Ashley Judd as the perfect actor to play Caroline. She even majored in French in college.

“I just want to feel something.” I returned Fiona’s frank gaze. “I can’t remember the last time that I felt something other than love for my children and frustration at not being able to finish everything on time.” 

“For nine years I’ve been running and I’m still in the same place.” I tilted my head, urging her to understand. 

Caroline had studied in Provence in 1996, and she became enthralled by Frenchman Jean-Marc. As she returns with her children, she decides to find Jean-Marc again. 

 

Jean-Marc could be played by French actor Sebastien Roché who has been in Salome and Titus Andronicus. I can just imagine his French-accented English as he tries to woo Caroline.

“I am still waiting for the perfect woman,” he confided as he shrugged, palms facing up. “I had one promise to return to me, but she took her time.” His eyes seared into me then, and I couldn’t breathe for a moment.

Caroline’s husband Scott, a busy college professor who leaves the parenting and housework to Caroline, could be played by Josh Lucas who has been in American Psycho and Glory Road. Caroline realizes that she may have married a man who physically resembles her French crush, Jean-Marc. And once Caroline leaves, Scott is outraged by her. Will his anger and her absence equal divorce? 

"He seemed like a puppy then, all eager with awkward legs and arms that had minds of their own. He stuffed his fists into his jean pockets.
I smiled. He looked good too. The stripes of his rugby shirt stretched tight across his chest, the green in it making his eyes seem greener

I smiled. He looked good too. The stripes of his rugby shirt stretched tight across his chest, the green in it making his eyes seem greener."

And, the movie would not be complete without a cameo appearance by Johnny Depp as the gypsy Gustave who Caroline meets in Scotland.

"His eyes were nearly black. I couldn’t see where the pupil stopped and the iris began, as he grasped my hand in introduction. I felt his palm warm and hard, as if the calluses had joined to form a leather glove on his palm.
“Your children are very inquisitive.” He grinned at them. He stood with his arms at his side, not shoving hands into pockets or brushing back the black curl of hair that strayed onto his forehead. He simply was – take him or leave him but he wouldn’t preen.

“Your children are very inquisitive.” He grinned at them. He stood with his arms at his side, not shoving hands into pockets or brushing back the black curl of hair that strayed onto his forehead. He simply was – take him or leave him but he wouldn’t preen."

What do you think? I would certainly need to tag along for all the filming. The scenery in London, Cornwall, Scotland, Paris and Provence would definitely add to the romance of the movie.

Thanks again, Sim, for the opportunity to dream about my perfect movie cast.

You're welcome, Paulita. I really adored your novel and I think it has the ingredients of a great adaptation in the making. The locations of course; don't you just love a movie that transports you to another place? I find the change of scenery exhilarating. And of course, Caroline is such a relatable character! Her moving storyline, her tremendous growth and self-discovery are very appealing and the romantic elements with a few strong, sexy men sounds like it would have strong box office potential for audiences who like films like Under the Tuscan Son, Chocolat, A Year in Provence, and Eat, Pray, Love. Just my cup of tea; I'm in! 
(Well maybe not Eat, Pray, Love. I'd watch it if it were on cable right now but only for the scenery; it just wasn't awfully good.) 

Visit Paulita at An Accidental Blog to check in with her Dreaming of France meme - usually lots of great posts from francophiles around the world posting gorgeous pictures and stories about France. I often share French movie news; I haven't been to France in far too long!
You can also purchase I See London, I See France from Amazon . If you read my take on the book, you know how much I loved it. I don't do ratings but if I did, I'd give it four Eiffel Towers.