My friend Mary and I were emailing about the new movie version of "Jane Eyre" that has just come out. We were thinking about why we do or don't like movie versions of books. In my case, even though I know I may well be disappointed, I usually can't resist a movie based on one of my favorite books. So, for example, you will find me watching every single movie or TV version of Austen's novels. I liked Mary's comments on the topic, so I persuaded her to let me publish them here as a guest blog post. Thanks, Mary!
Mary's comments:
I find that in general, if I have read the book I am less likely to like a movie made from it than if I have not read the book. There is usually just so much in a book that a movie can't possibly include it all. Especially hard I think is translating the "voice" of the narrator or the inner thoughts of characters. It can be irritating to have nuanced characters (of whom I have formed pictures in my mind) come clunkily to life in a movie. Occasionally the movie maker will change the plot or at least ending of a popular book--maybe so moviegoers who've read the book will be motivated to see it if it might offer something new? Having said that, there are a few movies that capture the book so perfectly--somehow getting in enough of the essence of the movie--that the book and movie become almost seamless in my memory. One that always comes to mind is To Kill a Mockingbird. I read and loved the book before I saw the movie, yet in my mind Atticus Finch looks and sounds exactly like Gregory Peck! And sometimes a very good movie can be made out of a not great book--The Godfather comes to mind.
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