The movie world has been in love with Roald Dahl almost as much as readers. The author’s whimsical books have charmed many, both young and old, leading to film adaptations such as the classic “Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory,” Wes Anderson‘s “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” “James And The Giant Peach” and many more (of mixed quality). And now another of one of his efforts his headed to screens.
Dustin Hoffman and Judi Dench will work together for the first time in “Esio Trot,” a project that’s set up over at the BBC. Richard Curtis (“Love Actually,” “About Time“) and Paul Mayhew-Archer (who worked with Curtis on “The Vicar Of Dibley“) penned the adaptation that will be directed by Dearbhla Walsh (“Little Dorritt,” “The Tudors“) and tell the story of a retired bachelor whose affections for his neighbour don’t match what she feels for her pet turtle. Here’s the Amazon synopsis:
Mr. Hoppy is in love with his neighbor, Mrs. Silver; but she is in love with someone else—Alfie, her pet tortoise. With all her attention focused on Alfie, Mrs. Silver doesn’t even know Mr. Hoppy is alive. And Mr. Hoppy is too shy to even ask Mrs. Silver over for tea. Then one day Mr. Hoppy comes up with a brilliant idea to get Mrs. Silver’s attention. If Mr. Hoppy’s plan works, Mrs. Silver will certainly fall in love with him. After all, everyone knows the way to a woman’s heart is through her tortoise.
Yeah, it’s a little cutesy, but with these two leads? We’ll just sit back and let them charm our faces off. Production on the 90-minute movie begins next spring.