Books on the Big Screen: Always a let down?
Very rarely are movies based on books are as good as their source material. It's an accepted thing that, when entering the theatre, you may be paying a hefty price to be disappointed. I know that's how I felt last year after leaving Something Borrowed, the rom-com based on Emily Giffin's awesome novel. I'd been waiting for that movie for at least three years when the movie rights were announced, and watching IMDb for the cast to be posted, release dates, etc. I walked in, excited to see a book I love come to life, and left wondering what they did to it.
Over the weekend, my husband and I went to see The Hunger Games. I was indifferent to the books, finding them good, but had some issues with the character that left a bad taste in my mouth. He was sure that the movie would be pure crap, his liking for the books a little more than my own I think. But I convinced him, mostly because we hadn't had a 'date' to the movies in forever (Last movie we saw was The Help.) Much to our surprise, we really enjoyed it, and I can say I like the movie more than the book. What's more, it was accurate. Insanely so, with very few changes, and those you can forgive because: a) they don't affect the story, and, b) It's a movie, some things don't work theatrically.
He made me stay through the credits, convinced that there may be some nugget of extra in there like in our beloved Marvel-Comic movies. And while watching the names of the people who brought us the film came up, the reason for one of the best book-to-movie films I've ever seen became obvious: Suzanna Collins was a writer of the screenplay.
My first thought was "If any of my books get made into a movie, I want to help with the screen play." My second thought (after laughing hysterically in my head) was "Why don't more writers/authors do this?"
I know that they get a copy of the screenplay, though truth be told I have no idea if they get any say as to what's on the pages in front of them. Do they have the writer to call someone and scream "There's no way that John would do that!"? I'm sure someone can tell me what they get a say in, or why they don't get their hands dirty with the screenplay. Maybe if I ever get so lucky to get my books made into movies [insert hysterical laughter here], I'll learn the whys, hows, and what nots as to why authors let their cherished books get beat up.
In the meantime, I'll be stalking The Stupidest Angel on IMDb, waiting to see my favorite author's Christmas novel (about a Zombie attack) come to the big screen and hope beyond all hopes I'm not disappointed.
***
And now, a list. I don't remember all the movies I've seen based on the books I've read, but for fun I thought I'd share some of my favorite (and least favorite) book to movies.
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen-Book was great, movie not too shabby
The Help by Kathryn Stockett – Sadly, I couldn't get into the book, but it was also my Mom's copy, and I didn't want to take it on the plane, I had enough things to carry.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins – Liked it better than the books, mostly because I didn't have to endure Katniss's oblivious observations.
Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin – They killed it.
The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger– I never make it past chapter 3 when reading it, and I've tried four times. The movie, however, I love.
The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Laroux – Different to the point I treat movie/stage show and book as separate entities. Love the movie, and I could have liked the book if it wasn't for the narrative style
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen- I watched the Keira Knightly version, as well as the Colin Firth Mini Series. I have not strong opinion either way – they were equal to each other.
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks – Kinda like Pride and Prejudice, I'm fairly indifferent.
A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks – Loved the book, loved the movie. Cry at both. But they're set in different eras, and are almost two separate books.
Secret Window (originally Secret Garden, Secret Window by Stephen King) – The movie is one of the only 'Horror-Suspense' I like. The story I wasn't as big of a fan of-oddly enough because it wasn't dark enough. Go figure.
Beastly by Alex Flinn– Liked the movie a lot, I thought the book was too much of a retelling of Disney's Beauty and the Beast (Which, I love, but I didn't want it in book form).
The Twilight Series By Stephanie Meyer– Yes, I've shamefully watched and read every one. Not really because I'm a fan, I watched New Moon and Eclipse because I kinda liked the books, Twilight because I wanted to see what the fuss was about, and Breaking Dawn (pt 1) for morbid curiosity. I would tell anyone with the morbid curiosity to read the first book, then watch the movies (if you make it past book one).
I'm sure there are tons more that I've forgotten about by now, or can't recall at the moment. What are your favorite (or least favorite) book-to-movies?
