Lately it seems that more and more movies coming out of Hollywood have been based on some form of literature (novels, plays, stories, etc.). I don’t know if this signifies the lack of imagination which seems to be plaguing Hollywood screenwriters of late or if it’s the producers’ fault for betting on a “sure thing” rather than a good story – because, let’s face it, if you read and liked the book you’re probably going to take a chance on the movie even if it looks terrible.
The problem this presents to any die-hard fiction lovers and/or movie buffs is whether or not the screenwriter has honoured all those things which make the book worth reading - in most cases they don’t. For whatever reason the movie adaptation misses the big points (like character names, plot twists, endings ... need I say more?) and the film ends up being based on the book in name only.
I’m not normally a “movie talker” but there are two situations in which I can’t shut up even if I want to: horror movies (they’re too scary if I don’t talk) and bad movies that are based on good books. On a personal note, if there had been more people in the theatre during The Golden Compass I would have been thrown out. In order to avoid embarrassing moments such as this, I try to follow five simple tips when watching movies based on books.
Tip Number One: Remember, it’s only “Based on” the book it is not the book.
Tip Number Two: They have to cut some of it, the book is probably five hundred pages longer than the script and if it were any longer the movie would take a day to watch.
Tip Number Three: Try not to read the book before the movie (if you already have then just grin and bear it), it’s a lot easier to enjoy both when you’ve seen an adaptation because the book will have surprises still.
Tip Number Four: Watch the movie more than once before declaring it a piece of garbage (give yourself a month at least in between)
Tip Number Five: Remember, it’s not the movie’s fault it’s bad, it’s the author’s for selling the rights to the script.
With these helpful (hopefully) tips in mind, here’s a list of books which inspired movies that you should try out. I’m not guaranteeing anything but it doesn’t hurt to try.
Blood & Chocolate – Based on the book of the same title by Annette Kurtis Klause
The Golden Compass – Based on the first in Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy
Harry Potter – If you haven’t read these ones, READ THEM!!!!
The Princess Bride – Yes, it was a book by William Goldman
The Chronicles of Narnia – The first movie is NOT based on the first book by C.S. Lewis, but it’s still good
Memoirs of Geisha – Awesome book by Arthur Golden
Pride and Prejudice – Both adaptations were great
P.S. I Love You – Cecilia Ahern’s novel will make you bawl and laugh alternately for days
Along Came A Spider – James Patterson is terrifying and Morgan Freeman did a great job of bringing it to life