Details Matter in the Big Picture: Harry Potter Book-Movie Adaptations
I will give you three guesses what tomorrow is, and the first two don’t count.
No, not RWA. In fact, I’m sure I’m the only romance writing blog on the internet not talking about the RWA conference.
That’s right. Harry Potter. I can tell you’re all as excited as me, if only for the fact I will stop inserting things like “only 346 days left until Harry Potter…” into my blogs. At least until the last movie comes out and I have to do the countdown. But right now, we’re at the hour, and the 6th book is about to make its debut on screen.
It’s always a hazard, isn’t it, putting the written word into cinema. Stuff is always either over dramatized at the wrong parts or pertinent details left out completely. Look at The Ten Commandments. Not that we can imagine anyone else playing Moses, but does Heston look particularly Jewish to anyone? Exactly.
And even if they get the right people to play the roles, there is still the hazard that some things that work to fine dramatic effect in a novel tends to overextend itself on celluloid, leaving you snorting with laughter that anyone in real life would say or do such a thing. Consider Twilight. The scene in the forest where Edward tells Bella she is his favorite type of heroin (that’s drug, not heroine); and my personal favorite, “So the lion fell in love with the lamb….” Now as an English major and a kid raised in the church, I appreciate the poetics of such a line. It’s romantic; it’s gorgeous; it might even make you sigh (if you could stop making retching sounds long enough.) But believe me, when I listen to Rob Pattinson, who looks every inch an Edwardian era vampire, utter the line with such passionate sincerity, I almost feel like a heel when I start laughing uncontrollably. Almost.
I mean, my boyfriend once told me with the same sort of sincerity as Edward that my voice was like that of angels singing, and I couldn’t stop laughing for 6 city blocks, and I nearly drove into a parked car because of the stitch in my side. I just don’t think some things are meant to be said aloud. Written and read in private, sure, but not aloud.
Harry Potter has the problem of being the most insanely long novels anyone has ever read. Especially for children’s novels. Screenplays are about 90-120 pages long, with each page approximating about 1 minute of screen time. Harry Potter books run 300-800 pages long, depending on the book. It’s little wonder the last book is going to be cut into two movies. Still, even cut into two movies, the plot and details have to be streamlined to the point of skeletal.
In the 4th movie, I had to watch it like 20 times before I realized they had explained the death of an important character, but it was with one line. For about eight seconds. And the only reason I caught it at all was because I had the closed captioning on. I’d been so ticked up until then that they never explained what happened to the dead body or explained the significance. My friend Holly was mad they spent all that time focusing on the dance and adolescent relationships—and wimped out on the Triwizard Tournament Maze. (It is far more exciting in the book. And admittedly, I wasn’t really impressed with the dragon—in the first challenge—breaking its chain and chasing Harry over hither and yon. That was five minutes of cinema crap that could be better used explaining that dead body.)
It all comes down to a matter of details. Which ones matter really. J.K. Rowling is an artist at making the smallest details infinitely fascinating and important; and I do enjoy watching the movies and seeing what details the screenwriters and director thought were most important to focus on in this particular book. Were they the details I would have picked? Are they the details I found most fascinating and important in explaining the book? 
Some directors like to focus on the British schooling system culture; and some like to focus on the mundane everyday stuff within the wizarding world itself. (I found that charming—how magic could be turned into something ordinary and commonplace in the everyday world, how it blends in and you almost can’t tell where Muggle world ends and the Wizard one begins.) There are the relationship details—how boys and girls communicate. Or don’t. There is the whole good and evil—which is invariably focused on since that is the point of the books—but how they go about it is always different.
The details shown in the trailer clips of the newest movie appear true to the book (which would be a first) and phenomenally wicked. I always love when they get it right and I can say, “It’s just like I imagined it!” or better, “It’s even better than I imagined it.” Still, I wonder what is going to be sacrificed…and what is going to be “Why did they focus on that?”
Granted 9 times out of 10, the book is better than the movie (I maintain that The Notebook and My Sister’s Keeper made better movies than books), but there is something magical about seeing your favorite book through someone else’s eyes. And it’s amazing that with only a partial amount of time, they manage to convey so much, each scene shot never a throw away, always something to discover a new layer of character development or story progression.
I have a number of questions today—1) What book turned movie is your favorite and why?, 2) What is the worst movie adaptation you’ve ever watched and why?, 3) What is your favorite detail in a movie scene that you found to be most revealing of plot or character?
And if you don’t want to answer any of these, that’s fine too. I’m more than willing to discuss Harry Potter movies and books all day long.
P.S. PRIZES! The winner of ‘Scuse Me While I Kill This Guy is SABRINA! Sabrina, please email me at mshellion at gmail dot com with your mailing address and I will send it out to you!
Books by the Crew
66 comments:
I thought they were brilliant with The Lord of the Rings. Left out tons, but the story flowed gracefully.
Worst adaptation? Planet of the Apes. Really. Good book, icky movie.
Favorite detail in a movie scene that I found most revealing? In Dead Again, with Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson...the entire plot took a wicked turn during his past life regression when he discovered he'd been a she... I just loved it. Suddenly, it all made sense.
There's a lot of movies with great details, but that twist won me over just like that!
And my rotten husband said, "Well, duh!" Luckily, he said it very quietly so I didn't turn to him in the movie theater and kill him.
Sorry Helli, I cannot tell a lie, I don't really like film adaptations of fantasy. I prefer my own imagination and feel that quidich on broomsticks looks contrived when filmed.
{There is actually also some very good fanfic for Harry Potter. I remember reading an alternative scenario by Barb which I thought almost as good as the original (google: psychic serpent barb)}
Having said that though, I am a real sucker for films of romance stories, especially the Jane Austen books. Film is the perfect medium for displaying period costume and settings. There are still many historic houses with gardens, ball rooms etc to provide realistic film settings, and some brilliant actors for conveying emotions far better than my imagination can manage.
I do also like radio adaptations or audio book versions. 'The Lord of the Rings' is a perfect example. It was once serialised on BBC radio, and Michael Horden as Gandalf had my family entranced every Sunday for months!
Instead of watching the Potter film I might listen to Stephen Fry reading it once more!
Nice Blog Helli. 8)
This is a wonderful blog. Very thoughtful and a refreshing switch from the the RWA-Nationals-here-we-come posts circulating all week :)
I'm looking forward to this movie even more than the others. I think partly it's because my son is old enough to watch this year, and we've spent the last two weeks catching him up on the previous movies.
Movies that I thought did a very good job representing their respective books were Lord of the Rings. Not completely in line with the books, but still so amazing you almost didn't notice--and the stuff that was true to the book was done SO WELL.
Movies I hated--every Stephen King book-turned-movie.
Oh, Hellie. All this jailbait is making me want to wash my eyeballs.Albino Malfoy.Yikes!
I read the first 3 HPs to a fourth grade class aloud for a half-hour every day after recess. It took all year. Then I think I read/skimmed the next two to myself, but I could not stick with them. Too long is right...my attention span is waning even as I type this. I can never stick through TV series that go on for ages either, so please don't make me walk the plank.But I've seen the HP movies and they're pretty good. Also love LOTR. But it's been ages since I've watched a good or a bad movie---most just kind of hover at the edge of my limited consciousness.
2nd: I really enjoyed LOTR. I own them all in the extended versions--but I did not go to the theater to see them. And I did not read the books until years after the movies came out, due to some nagging from a boyfriend. (The crap you'll do to humor people who you want to make out with.) In LOTR, I prefer the movies. *LOL* Mainly because they make a bigger deal with Aragorn and Arwen--and I could give a whoop about Frodo. (I'm a loving person, I know.)
HOWEVER, after reading the first book, there was the story about the giants/trolls that were going to eat the hobbits but then they were turned to stone. The four hobbits pass the rocks that looks like the giants/trolls--and I've watched that movie several times and NEVER saw the giants/trolls, and after reading the book, I saw them. It was like a hidden picture game. Suddenly I was pointing at the screen going, "It's the STORY!" So I did think that was really cool of the director to include minutae like that.
Q, that's quite all right. With your imagination, I can imagine that the movies probably don't get it right. *LOL* I'm not a heavy fantasy/sci-fi reader...as in Harry Potter is pretty much the extent of my fantasy/sci-fi reading. Except for that brief foray into LOTR, which as I explained before was only so I could impress the boy. Not because I was actually interested in the books.
I wouldn't be a Harry Potter fan if I hadn't watched the first movie. (That's one bad first date I'm still grateful for!) I thought it was overhyped and not interesting. "Oh, an orphan who finds out he's a wizard and goes on a heros's journey to conquer evil...gee, that's not like EVERY. FANTASY. NOVEL. WRITTEN." (Little touchy about fantasy/sci-fi formulas you know.)
I'll have to google for Barb. :) Thanks.
I do love Jane Austen adaptations, though my favorite is Sense & Sensibility with Emma Thompson. I love her and Kate Winslet--and Alan Rickman completely stole the show on that one. Everyone was geat in it, but I think everyone fell in love with Alan Rickman.
I'm a big fan of costume dramas. Russell Crowe is doing a new version of Robin Hood next May; and I really loved Amazing Grace...
J.K., I heard Peter Jackson got some flack for the stuff he didn't keep in line. (i.e. having the WRONG elf lead Aragorn and the hobbits back to Rivendell, ride with Frodo over that river, et al, but I rather enjoyed having Arwen do it. Girl power. *grins*) I think he did a phenomenal job though. You can tell he was an ardent fan of the books and wanted to do it justice.
How exciting your kid is old enough now to go! This one is superscary too. I'm waiting for them to put rated R on the last one for the violence, but then Harry would probably insist on a nude scene...oh, wait, there is a NUDE scene at the beginning, isn't there? With 7 Harrys.
I have to agree that I thought LOTR was done well.
I really love Sense and Sensibility done as a movie and you can burn me at the stake if you want to, but I said it. I actually loved The Notebook too.
I was talking to my BFF yesterday about Twilight as a movie and I've come to the conclusion that if I had to base seeing New Moon off Twilight, I might not see it. Twilight was the artificial sweetener in my fandom meal. It didn't leave me satisfied, but it didn't exactly leave me wanting more of the same.
Maggie, honestly I'm not convinced that's Tom Felton. *LOL* I think that's someone's photoshopping wishful thinking, though if Tom Felton is reading this and wants to prove otherwise, I can be found at 440 E Hin...
Never mind.
Sorry, the boys aren't your cup of tea, but it sounds like the whole series isn't your cup of tea anyway. *LOL*
And I could've done without the lion and lamb line in the movie. It was too cheesy for the moment and not weaved in well.
Actually I could now *live* with the lion and lamb lines, but I wish they had stopped with the dramatic head turns on Edward. The ones that say, "I'm a deadly vampire and you should have nothing to do with me." Complete with the da-da-dah music to let us know this guy is dangerous. It was way too Oxygen channel.
Crossing my fingers for you that New Moon is better.
I'm with Maggie on the beefcake of the kids, and they still are kids in my eyes. But I love the HP books. I've read them all many times, and I expect to read them many more. Except for #3, I've liked the movies, but I don't watch them again and again the way I keep rereading. We have tickets for a matinee tomorrow, and I'm almost as excited as the ten-year-old Grand.
My favorite book-to-movie adaptation of all time is To Kill a Mockingbird. I thought it was perfect. I'm not sure about the worst, but The Scarlet Letter with Demi Moore ranks high on the list. Favorite details? Two from the original Dr. Zhivago--the grave and the daffodils, and one from Becoming Jane--the shot at the end with Jane's hands, so poignantly telling.
I have my fingers crossed as well. From what I've seen so far, the special effects are MUCH better. There are several things I disliked about Twilight, but the whole special effect for when he was moving too fast for her to see him... Please, it was like watching a B-Horror movie. One of those cheesy ones from the 70's.
I prefer the whole, now you see me, now you don't. That's the way it should be. Though in the beginning of New Moon it looks like in the birthday scene, it happens in really slow motion for Edward but it happens so fast to Bella that she doesn't realize what happens. I like that.
Now, I hope HP is really good so that you and Manda are satisfied and happy. Manda says that if you will go earlier in the day, she can go with you.
Janga, #3's movie irked me quite a bit. The director really went in a different direction with film details. (The Knight Bus scene and details were particularly annoying. And it felt like it whipped along at 100 miles an hour with no transition.) Of the movies, it's one of the ones I watch least. (I watch #2 the least because of the snake.)
But I suspect people usually can't stand the movie of the book they liked best. Book 3 is a very popular book--because it's technically the happiest. I figured that was why I hated movie #4 so long, because it was my favorite book and they screwed it up. *LOL*
I mean, it's okay. But the book is so much better. *LOL* So it drives me crazy when fans who just watch the movies don't see the point in reading the books because they already know everything. It's not true. This must be what LOTR fans feel like. *LOL*
I'm sorry I could find more age-appropriate beefcake pictures, but I could not find beefcake pictures of Alan Rickman. And I looked. But these guys are legal, if you guys consider them too young. I'm sure Terri has posted football players that are the same age as these guys and no one has batted an eyelash as their obvious youth.
I liked Scarlet Letter with Demi Moore--but I knew it took "liberties" because I was like, "If the book had been remotely this interesting I would have read it as a kid." *LOL* Then again, I'm also pretty sure the movie missed the point of that entire story. The point wasn't the affair of the preacher and Hester...
I also commend you on sitting through Dr. Zhivago. I'm suddenly reminded of a line from Transporter 3 (clearly a movie not based on literature) where the French policeman, upon hearing that the Transporter was traveling with a woman who kept saying she was being transported so she could be killed (and she says it quite dramatically but as if it's to be expected), the policeman scoffs and says, "Russians."
Sin, I bought my ticket almost 2 weeks ago. And plus we're eating Chinese food prior to the movie. Amanda & I will have to see it together a different day.
I hope this movie is a good adaptation. I've been forewarned of a couple big CHANGES that I can see turning the Potter Fandom into a tizzy. (And I would be one of those folks if I hadn't been WARNED about it prior. If you warn me, I can brace myself. If you lie and say it's the same, and then do it completely different--you will pay. *LOL*)
LOL
Manda will have to deal. She's gotta take the kiddos into town for a softball game. So she's going to see it probably next week while she's on vacay.
Hellion, my friend, I was explaining, not complaining. I'm sure those pics are age-appropriate for many of you, just not for me. You have to remember that I'm old enough to have a vague recollection of the invention of the wheel. :)
Sadly, I believe my daughter would be better able to comment on this blog today than I. She has watched more movies made from books than I have. I know, I know... I believe it's that instant gratification thing that happens. I'd rather invest the 2 hours to see it than sit down and read it first (that could take days).
I also have a theory that whatever you do first is your favorite. So, if you read the book first you like that better and if you watch the movie first you like that better. Who knows!?
I really liked Pride and Prejudice (the A&E Colin Firth version) and I know I would never have given historical/regency romances a chance without that movie giving me such an awesome visual. Sense and Sensibility comes in a close second - I just love Alan!!! Actually, I loved everyone in that movie - very good casting IMHO.
I would probably have to agree with you, Hellie, though on The Ten Commandments. Edward G. Robinson and his New York accent kind of pulled me right out of that one. LOL
Sin, I think I'd hire a babysitter and go to the movie. But I'd never win mother of the year award.
Oh, and I forgot, like JK, this is the first HP movie I'll be seeing in the theaters with my kids. That will be fun.
I was getting kind of worried about the R rating thing, too. We watched all the previous movies and was all set to head off to the theaters when it came out and they threw that at me. They were kind of funny looking at me several months ago and saying... you know, mom, this might be rated R maybe you should re-think coming with us. It might be too much for you!
Pussed submit too soon... They were thinking the R would be for violence and I immediately thought the R would be for sex and nudity.
Ah, that would be pushed not pussed!!! (Hit submit again too soon UGH) I think it's time I sign off now...
I did love the LOTR movies - and absolutely loved that scene in Daed Again!
I hated The Devil Wears Prada- really thought they casted the lead very differently from what was in my head, and the Simon Baker character was nothing like what was in the book. Hugely disappointing movie for me.
The men were all wrong - not just in looks but in how the story played out - and I just couldn't get past the lead girl being so different from my own imagination.
Janga, you were no where near the invention of the wheel! *LOL* I feel this way about Zac Efron (sp?), but it's hit or miss. And Orlando Bloom occasionally makes me feel like he's too young for me...
If you want me to be honest, I posted these particular pictures to be a brat.
*LOL* No, it's R-rated for violence. *LOL* But I love where your head's at. *LOL* Believe me the "nude scene" at the beginning of the 7th book is more a comic relief because Harry is horrified that all the "fake Harrys" are changing clothes without thought that, hey, show a little modesty, guys. (Plus one of the fake Harrys was Hermione, who had to change into Harry clothing...and I thought, yeah, and she had to remove a BRA off Harry to do that, right? Not only do we have a naked Harry, but a cross-dressing one...)
Poor Irish...having commenting problems. I've had several today, but I've just not bothered to correct them. *LOL*
Sabrina, The Devil Wears Prada was not my favorite movie either. It always irks me that they pick an actress to play a "plain or homely" lead and it's always someone who'd be gorgeous in sackcloth and ashes. Get real. *LOL*
That must be it. *LOL*
Pirates are never wrong dear.
This is where I sheepishly admit I haven't read any HP books...I've seen two or three movies but can never remember which ones.
This makes me a bad pirate I know - I liked the movies, but since I don't have kids they were never at the top of my list to go see.
We have them in Netflix though!
Don't worry. Sin doesn't remember what HP movies she's seen either--and hasn't read the book. NOR has she seen the POTC movies either. But we keep her too.
I don't have kids. That I know of anyway...but I only went to the first one to get out of a bad date.
Is there really such a thing as a 'bad' pirate? Isn't that the idea? ;)
It's OK, Scapegoat, I haven't read past book four... is that the one where the big D dies? I did, however, read the last chapter. (I was working in the bookstore and knew I'd need some info to sell the book and my co-workers wouldn't share details. In fact, they tried to snatch the book away from me when I flipped to the back of the book.)
*groaning at 2nd asking if big D dies in book 4* I need a drink.
One of these days, Hellie, I'm going to blow you away with my HP knowledge and you'll think the world is about to end.
*snickering in the crow's nest*
Nah, I suspect this will happen in 30 years, and I'll just deduce that Mattycakes will have gotten his replacement granted. *LOL*
Just stop, stop, stop. I need a drink. *LOL* It's book 6.
I'm going back to my hammock. *LOL*
What? It isn't in that book? Was it book five? Six? I lost track, honestly...
Don't throw me offa the ship, Cap'n! I didn't task ya fer not readin' me family's bible, LOTR!
There be how many books? ;) If it weren't until book six, I did better than I thought wit' reading them...
Off ta pat meself on the back now...
Cap'n, ya want a bottle fer yer hammock?
Sabrina, so glad ya remember that scene in Dead Again... I did love that movie. Ya could actually tell they were in love then...until they divorced some years later.
Sigh.
Real life can suck.
Google, 2nd. You're a pirate. LIE and FEIGN interest, please. *LOL, taking the rum bottle* Thank you for the special store. I'm going to need it.
I should have talked about Edward Cullen. Everyone's read those books.
Real life can suck. But I think Emma is a lot happier with Greg Wise...and who wouldn't be? Dang he's hot. And that whole Carte Noir readings? Oh, my.
"I should have talked about Edward Cullen. Everyone’s read those books."
I haven't. I don't read vampires.
I haven't either! Hey, I loved the books I did read! And I loved the movies I did see... I jus' fell off the wagon...
I wish the books be shorter...I jus' get intimidated by the thick ones anymore.
Hellie, everyone and their brother loves HP. Don't get discouraged.
I'm a little PMSy today. I'd take it personally if I got cut off in traffic today. I probably should have restocked my chocolate stashes. Hmmm.
Okay, Janga, since you're--I'm pretty sure--the main one hanging around today who's also read the books (J.K. might have read the books too, I can't tell, she was cagey in her answer!)--what scene from book 6 are you hoping makes it into the movie--and if it makes it, they do a good job with?
I want to see Ron on the love potion; and I also want to see the Slughorn Christmas party.
The clips of behind the scenes keep saying everyone is jealous of each other and lots of adolescent angst, which I'm looking forward to.
Those of you who haven't read the books--I don't want to leave you out of the discussion--what about the trailer seemed most intriguing to you?
How did you get cut off? Do I need to teach you the art of keeping people out of your way?
I have to admit that I saw some of the trailer the other night and thought it was rather intriguing. I like when the wizard guy tells HP (I assume the kid is HP) "If I tell you to run, run. Don't look back."
That sounds all wicked.
Hellion -- sshhhhhhh don't say the "C" word around here!
I want to see the movies because I want to know Harry's destiny - once I saw the first movie or two I have to know why he's special and what his future holds.
Soon as I'm back from the Nationals, I'll rent the ones I missed and go see the new movie, I swear it! I've only seen a short trailor...but I'm with Sin, the bit about running always gets me curious!
I can't wait to see the whole scene where Ron is on the love potion. I saw a behind the scenes look at it, and every one was saying how funny Rupert is, and how much he added.
Is it really rated R? I guess I'll go see it first, then decide if my kids can see it. If not, I fully expect my 12 year old to try to mutiny. *sigh*
Di
This is what I got off IMDb, Di: Rated PG for scary images, some violence, language and mild sensuality.
I was facing the same dilemma with a definite mutiny on my hands. I have a 14 and 12 year old and am always concerned about the violence. The boy (12 y/o) always fights me more than the girl.
Irisheyes - I had to chuckle a little of fighting your 12 y/o over the violence in movies!
This is exactly what they mean about how violent movies make kids violent! LOL - Just kidding - I'm in a weird humor today!
Sorry, Di, no I was speculating that the violence/darkness in the 7th book would probably compell them to give it an R rating on the movie. *LOL*
That scene does look hilarious in the clips. And I crack up when Hermione is talking to Harry about "picking someone to go with him" (I assume the Christmas party) and says, "She only wants to go with you because she thinks your'e the chosen one." "But I am the chosen one" and Hermione beats him with the rolled up paper. *LOL*
See, violence ABOUNDS in this film.
Thanks, Irish!!
I try to limit the amount of violence they see, too.
My son has read books 1-5 at least three times each, and books 6-7 once or twice, so he would have been REALLY upset to not be able to see the movie.
And yes, my son (12) tends to fight me more than my daughter (10).
Sabrina, you had me laughing at your comment.
Di
My local newspaper gave it a good review...
Imagine the battles if they did rate the last movies R! Talk about violence in the movie... Man, they slaughtered thousands in the LOTR movies, they wouldn't dare do that to Harry.
Tho I had this vision of some mom jerking their kid out of the line and screaming something about not wanting him to get the wrong message about violence and language...all the while screaming and cursing.
But it's all the media's fault!
I'm sooo excited about HP tomorrow too! I'm not going to see the movie until Sat, but I'm really really excited. :)
I want to go see it in Imax, but we'll see.
My favorite movie adaptation? I like a bunch (LOTR, HP, Twilight) but I think my favorite is the Baz Luhrmann version of Romeo and Juliet. I really like that.
And the worst? I thought Eragon was horrible. I really like the books, so I was a little surprised how bad the movie bit it.
Sorry - Scapegoat here with a tangent...
Did you know there is a Pirates Week Festival in the Cayman Islands!
http://www.piratesweekfestival.com/
I just recieved a special from a hotel for the festival and went "What!" "Wow"
Hellion, just the tiny bit of Ron on the love potion that I've seen in the trailer suggests that it is going to be a great scene.
I stopped watching the trailers because there were so many of them. I do hope the bit with Ron thinking Harry had slipped him the Felix Felicis potion and Hermione's indignation is included. I love that bit. And the scene where Fleur shows the doubters that her love for Bill is the real thing.
I have some concerns about the ending though. I understand cutting the Hogwarts battle, but omitting Dumbledore's funeral seems to me to lessen the meaning of his death.
Marnee, did you know HP will not be in Imax theaters until July 29.
Yep, I knew no Imax for a couple weeks. I'll probably have seen it twice by then. LOL! So, we'll see. :)
Scapegoat, the Cayman Island pirate fest is on my bucket list.
DH has a lead on a job, so...we'll see! Would sure make lookin' at the big pirate fest as somethin' in me future...
HP will be in the IMAX theaters? Wonder if me San Jose one will show it...
Geez, so many book adaptations can suck it. Nine times out of ten they get it all so wrong. But that one time is always lovely.
Twilight was very melodramatic, yes!And Edward's reaction in science class to Bella was so idiotic. He looks like he's gonna hurl, not restraining himself from KILLING HER!lol. But I did find some moments enjoyable. They kept in some of my fave parts but the execution was...off.
I enjoy the HP movies. But they aren't exactly all wonderful. I probably wouldn't actually call any of them(no throwing vegetation, you all!*g*) wonderful. Just good.
Love LOTR...Never read the books.*snort*
My Sister's Keeper was the most horribly depressing book I've read in a long time. I have not seen the movie and do not want to. I really don't feel like being depressed all over again. And about that ending change, WTF? I mean, I hated it and felt it was waaayyy heavy handed in the book but it worked. She got her 'bigger picture' message across. She's a good writer. Really! But I don't read her books because I felt so manipulated by MSK.
Huh, can't actually think up a good movie adaptation. They butchered Ella Enchanted. They hacked up A Walk To Remember(I love the movie but watch it as a completely separate entity from the book. That movie is not even CLOSE to the book. They didn't even keep in the freaking 'walk to remember!').
Good blog, Hells! You've stirred up all kinds of issues for me.LOL!
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