An interesting trend I’ve seen on Twitter recently has to do with review excerpts authors are tweeting. More and more these reviews indicate that the book would make a wonderful movie (!!). Those are pretty high accolades. I think about all of the movies I have seen that were born as novels and I know the transition is a difficult one. Folks talk about it all of the time.
“Yeah, I saw it but I thought the book was much better.”
“I liked it but it wasn’t as good as the book.”
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a movie that was better than the book, but some movies stick out as great ones all on their own. The Shawshank Redemption comes to mind. It might come down to a matter of taste. Maybe it’s a reader-vs-viewer thing. I think it has to do with how we visualize scenes and characters in a book and if our imagined view doesn’t coincide, we feel a little put out.
When there are novels adapted to film, the potential is always there for a written masterpiece to become a visual one. An experience I had earlier this year showed me that the book to film thing can work in reverse. Right after the start of the new year, I watched The Help at my sister’s. I knew there was a book and I had no real intention of reading it. I so thoroughly enjoyed the movie that I bought the book the very next day. When I read the book, my mind’s eye applied the characters and scenes from the movie to the scenes and characters in the book and I got to enjoy the story on a whole new level.
So, what are your experiences? Do you generally shun films adapted from a book? Do you judge the films by your reading experience or can you accept them on their own?
I generally find movie adaptations of books disappointing if I’ve already read the book, George. The Help was a notable exception and for me the Shawshank Redemption movie (which is one of my favorites) blows the original Stephen King novella out of the water. As you say, it may be a matter of taste.
Sharon Hurley Hall´s last [type] ..Writing Podcasts from Get Paid to Write Online
Hi Sharon,
Shawshank is a personal fav as well. I think it is possible that comparing the book to the movie is comparing apples to oranges. Overall I agree that the movie rarely lives up to the book.
George
I find the movie rarely lives up to the promise of the book. If I see a movie coming I will often try to read the book first which doesn’t always end up helping! I remember when The English Patient came out, the movie was wonderful but hard to follow. I subsequently read the book and got a little more clarity. Then watched the movie again. It’s one of my all-time favorite book to movie examples. Atonement is another good adaptation.
I thought The Help was better in it’s original form. I listened to the book which was read by several characters giving it a richness that the mere written words couldn’t. So, when I got to the movie I had a strong idea of what I wanted to see. I am looking forward to seeing how the newest spin on Anna Karenina turns out!
Walker Thornton´s last [type] ..Day 23 Awaken, Embrace, Ignite-A Vibrator Primer
Hi Walker,
That’s an interesting methodology! I kind of like the idea and I think my next project will be to read Cloud Atlas and then go see the movie!
George
I dunno, Meester Schmorgio. You see, I was going to get a DVD of a film adapted from a book tonight, but then I remembered I already got one. It must be time to go and feed my pet hamster his elderberries. Now do not ask me these questions, or I shall taunt you a second time. (And before you ask, yes, of course I am French. It’s why I talk in this outraaageous accent)
ps, if they ever make a film of one of my books I shall cast you as the rampant love interest. OO-er, Mrs!!!!