On August 27, 1993, Rob Reiner’s Castle Rock Entertainment continued its expansion into Stephen King’s works with Needful Things. Directed by Fraser C. Heston, the star-studded affair arrived only two years after King published the expansive novel. Screenwriter W.D. Richter took on the Herculean task of adapting the 700 page novel, and what came to fruition is a film as tonally curious as the source material: It’s funny, it’s unsettling, it’s violent, it’s perverse. Simply put, it’s the kind of movie we just don’t get anymore.
For that reason alone, Needful Things has aged quite well. Yet it’s also a great lookin’ film. Heston shoots the hell out of this picture, capitalizing on the crisp Fall foliage across British Columbia, doubling here for King’s fictional Castle Rock, Maine. Because of this, the film looks like a Stephen King novel reads, a key facet given that the town is — not to sound like a David Wain caricature — something of a character in itself.
Granted, the Losers covered the film way, way back in 2020 as part of their coverage on the novel. You can listen to their movie review here. Today, though, they’re unlocking their interview with Heston from Spring of 2021. It’s a spirited chat: Together, they discuss the majesty of British Columbia, the film’s all-star ensemble, the fine folks of Castle Rock Entertainment, and the 191-minute TV cut now available via Kino Lorber.
Stream the episode below — you can also find book episodes here and here — and return next week when the Losers head back to Chester’s Mill once again to review CBS’ Under the Dome. For further adventures, join the Club over long days and pleasant nights via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, RadioPublic, Acast, Google Podcasts, and RSS. You can also unlock hundreds of hours of content in The Barrens (Patreon).
The post ‘Needful Things’ Turns 30: A Conversation with Fraser C. Heston [The Losers’ Club Podcast] appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.