TRANSFORMATION

“Cut.”, almost in a whisper. On the giant soundstage, the only sound was Jonas Faulk’s uncontrollable sobbing. Imploringly, the director again, in a whisper, “Did we get him?” The DP, without ever taking his eye from the viewfinder, motioned an emphatic thumbs up over his head.

The cast and crew had gathered for this final set up. And to a person, they silently knew they were witnessing not a performance but rather the final act of sacrifice.

Transformation had been the bestselling novel that every actor in town had fought to lead on screen. But Ben Harrelson, the director, had decided on his best friend, David Starling to star.

David Starling to play Jonas Faulk? Had Harrelson lost his mind? David Starling, “The Funniest Man Alive”, playing Jonas Faulk, the most tortured soul in contemporary American fiction?

But it turned out the director knew exactly what he was doing. His decision to shoot in chronological order, unmercifully using his friend to tell the tale of a jovial man’s descent into madness forced Starling’s seamless metamorphosis from standup comedian to actor, to the mad Jonas Faulk, to unfurl onscreen for all to see.

From the first day of the grueling shoot, where Starling had everyone on the set doubled over with laughter, up to today, when the ambulance pulled away from the back lot with him still sobbing, strapped down in back, there seemed to have been a frightening inevitability.

In accepting the Academy Award for Best Actor for his best friend, Ben Harrelson hopefully remarked, “Laughter Is the best medicine”.

But David Starling had become Jonas Falk. And Jonas Faulk had long since ceased to make anyone laugh.

Sometimes best friends know you too well. Especially best friends who would go on to win the Academy Award for Best Director.