Often, too many times, Hollywood gets the idea to remake a popular foreign film to bring some wonder to the masses. Forgive the pun, but the magic of the original movie invariably gets Lost in Translation. Perhaps this is why I was so disturbed to wake up to the news that if Sofia Coppola is to have her way (and she usually does), she is going to direct a remake of Tipping The Velvet.

In 2002, the BBC already produced a marvelous mini-series adaptation of the equally marvelous novel by Sarah Waters. The production practically sang: wonderfully cast, perfectly told, director Geoffrey Sax did a brilliant job bringing the sometimes bawdy lesbian Victorian novel to life. A delight from beginning to end, there was no room for improvement: Kitty and Nan and their passionate affair, the bright lights of the stage, the cold and unforgiving streets of London.

Coppola's new project is already getting plenty of attention, with the casting of two straight, smoking hot celebrities in the leading roles: R&B star Beyoncé Knowles and Desperate Housewife Eva Longoria. "We've had Brokeback Mountain, so the time is right for this divine novel to get the same treatment," Knowles says. But the novel, of course, has already gotten the deluxe treatment.

Loosely adapted from Antonia Frasier's biography, Coppola's indulgent Marie Antoniette is currently in theaters. If the director wants to do something groundbreaking and original, I know just the book for her.

• Compare Prices: Tipping the Velvet, the BBC Miniseries
• Compare Prices: Tipping the Velvet, the book

[posted by Marcy]