on Mar 30th, 2006How Starbucks Saved My Life - Tom Hanks
When you live in a small town people know things about you whether you like it or not. Gossip travels faster than a speeding bullet destined for a magician attempting the bullet catch, a trick that actually killed Chung Ling Soo in 1918. So what’s the equivalent of the bullet catch in a small town? Try cheating on your spouse.
Two days ago I was reading through Daily Variety and was surprised to read that someone I know from my small town in Connecticut had just sold his memoir to Tom Hanks’ production company for Tom Hanks to star in and Gus Van Sant to direct. The movie will be released by Universal Pictures.
The memoir tells the story of how “a former J. Walter Thompson executive finds himself down and out when he is downsized out of a job. In his 60s and in a personal dilemma because of an affair that ended his marriage, he sees his luck change when he enters a Starbucks and walks out with a job offer from the store’s manager, giving his life new purpose.”
I immediately called another friend (see how that works) and told him the news. I said, “Is it true that he got a divorce?” The friend said, “Yes.” I couldn’t believe it. How strange it will be for the ex-wife to see Tom Hanks playing her ex-husband on the big screen.
Me, I’m just wondering if the local library will purchase the DVD for its patrons, given the ex-wife’s standing as one of the library’s Associates. I doubt it. But me being me, I’ll probably request it through interlibrary loan, just to make a point about censorship…
P.S. Any bets on whether Starbucks will sponsor or name a drink after Tom Hanks’ character?
Universal Pictures has made a six-figure acquisition of “How Starbucks Saved My Life” based on a 102-page proposal and attached Tom Hanks to star and Gus Van Sant to direct.
Playtone partners Hanks and Gary Goetzman will produce.
Book, to be published by Penguin imprint Gotham Books, is a memoir by Michael Gates Gill, a former J. Walter Thompson exec who found himself down and out when he was downsized out of a job.
U brewing ‘Starbucks’
Hanks to star in Van Sant-helmed adaptation
By MICHAEL FLEMING
March 27, 2006