Have you ever loved–I mean, really loved–a book and been disappointed by its cinematic adaptation? For me, this occurs regularly.
For instance, I was thrilled to learn that one of my favorite novels of recent memory, Never Let Me Go, was being adapted for the big screen. However, when I did finally see British novelist Kazuo Ishiguro‘s masterpiece in the movie theater, it was disappointing.
Not that Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, or Keira Knightley had misrepresented the characters I’d loved for so long. Or that Director Mark Romanek or Screenwriter Alex Garland had failed to recreate Hailsham or “The Cottages.” (On a side note, Ishiguro had also been heavily involved throughout the making of this film, as evinced by the following clip.)
The major problem I had with the film is that the book’s love story and its climactic final epiphany did not resonate for me, and judging by critics’ feedback and popular opinion, I was not alone.
But honestly, is it even possible to recreate the depth and power of a highly internalized first person narrative into film, a medium that by its very nature portrays its characters from an outsider’s perspective, an almost omniscient point of view? I argue it isn’t.
Novels, even novels told in third person, offer readers characters’ thoughts and feelings. By reading these books, we are able to essentially inhabit the minds and hearts of these characters. We connect with their humanity.
Of course, there are exceptions to this, and I bet you can think of a few. A lot of people seem to agree that J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter films are faithful representations of their novel counterparts. However, this book series has always heavily relied on its plot–its page-turning, “What happens next?” quality. Movies can easily recreate the outer appearance of theses events, especially action sequences. Jurassic Park anyone?
However, when a novel is able to successfully bear the thoughts and feelings of its narrator, bear her or his soul, no medium can compare. It is what makes the experience of reading entirely unique.
What do you think?
Until next week, write and read your heart out!
Photo credit: COLLIDER
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