JUDGING A MOVIE BY ITS BOOK by Candace Bowen Early

JUDGING A MOVIE BY ITS BOOK
In recent years there has been an influx of books made into movies. The book is the writer’s vision of a story, whereas the movie becomes the screenwriter’s and director’s vision. In cases where the screenwriter and director follow the writer’s vision, the movie adaptation closely resembles the original work. However, if the screenwriter and director ignore the writer’s vision the original story may be all but unrecognizable. Although there have been a few instances where I have approved of slight changes from the original story for cinematic flair, I have more frequently been disappointed by the movies based on my favorite books. A recent example would be author Susan Hill’s, The Woman in Black. Following the successful stage play adaptation by Stephen Mallatratt, and a television movie based on the book, it was made into a feature length film in 2011 starring Daniel Radcliffe. I find The Woman in Black to be a classic horror story and looked forward to seeing the film adaptation. However, when I did see the movie, I realized from the first scene it did not follow the writer’s vision. Although the film was good, it was not what I was expecting. It would have been so much better if the movie followed the book’s storyline. Perhaps it is because I am a writer that I am sensitive about such things. If a book reaches the coveted best seller status and is adapted into a screenplay and television movie, I do not understand why it would be so drastically changed for the big screen. Certainly to go unnoticed by the moviegoers who have not read the story, I believe it borders on insulting for the ones who have. I know I went into the theater with certain expectations only to be disappointed by the story as it unfolded. It often makes me wonder what authors think after seeing a dramatically altered film adaptation of their books. Writers are often sensitive when it comes to their writing -- I know I am. While I genuinely feel bad that I have disappointed a reader whose review criticizes faulting editing my book, I am humbly pleased that no review has ever criticized my story line. Similarly, I am pleased that no publisher has asked me to change the story line. Regardless of how thrilled I would be to see one of my novels adapted into a feature film, I do not think I would like to see my vision drastically altered from its original form. I become very attached to the characters I create. In fact, I have been known to cry after I conclude writing a book. On occasion, I have even dragged my feet completing a novel just to delay the inevitable goodbye. Do not get me wrong, it would be a dream come true to see one of my literary works turned into a cinematic feature length film. My only concern is if I would feel the same level of success if my novel was drastically altered from its original state. Candace Bowen EarlyAugust 10, 2012
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Published on August 13, 2012 03:59
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