Of Mice and Men with James Franco

Steinbeck; the very name incites terror in students and delight in English professors, finds itself in college theses and, most recently, in critically acclaimed Broadway shows. Though I had never had the pleasure of reading Of Mice and Men – the title being drawn from an old poem that stated the plans of mice and men often go awry – the play was heart-breakingly real and heart-breakingly tragic. Something about the language maybe, or the characters, struck a chord in me. I think it was the way that Steinbeck crafted the characters to fit certain stereotypes and then crushed them in one deft motion. Let me explain: one character, the only female in the play whose title was only ‘Curly’s Girl’ despite being an integral part to the plot, was the classic ingénue. However, her innocence was cut short (without any spoilers!) and the beautiful, talented Gossip Girl actress Leighton Meester, shone once again as the flippant splendor she is known for. Candy, an old man whose archetype is normally wise and world weary, was a sad and innocent man whose naiveté made him both relatable and even detestable. James Franco as George and Chris O’Dowd as Lennie were… exquisite. I can’t believe I had the pleasure of being reminded that American literature is some of the best, especially when brought to life by a talented cast like this. It makes me want to write!