| Julia Roberts’ production company, Red Om, has snapped up the rights to Peter Lovenheim’s non-fiction novel, In The Neighbourhood, with a view to turning it into one of those books with ‘Now A Major Motion Picture’ on the front cover. In The Neighbourhood is one of those high-concept Danny Wallace/Dave Gorman/Neil Strauss-esque books, wherein the author sets himself a wacky and outlandish challenge and, in the completion of said challenge, learns more about himself and society than he could have dreamed. Oh, and he bags himself a major book and movie deal, too. Which doesn’t hurt. Lovenheim’s schtick was to invite himself over to neighbours’ homes for sleepovers, in order to get to know them better, and to foster a sense of community in his home town. And if a major book or movie deal came about as a result, then so be it. Actually, the premise is a fairly decent one, and could open the door for gently comedic goings-on. Currently, Roberts isn’t attached as star, only producer, but we’re confident that she might be able to find a role for herself in the flick – possibly even with Lovenheim becoming a lady – once it’s up and running. At present, though, the film version of Lovenheim’s book (due out in April) is as far away as the cows Father Dougal McGuire spies on holiday.
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