Lately I’ve had this idea, in the light of so many books coming out as movies, that I would read the books, then go see the movies. It all started with The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. That was by far my most favorite book I ever read. I was a little nervous to go see the movie, because a few years ago I tried the same thing with the Twilight series and ran into some horrible disappointments when I went to see the movies. Dragon did not disappoint me. The movie was well representative of the book and Mara Rooney was portrayed exactly as Lisbeth in the book.
Last week I read Janet Evanovich’s One For The Money. I fell in love with Evanovich’s character, Stephanie Plumb. I wanted to be her. She was so vulnerable, running around after bad guys in black spandex shorts, tee shirt and tennis shoes. She had no money, no food, no phone and no car. She was as inept as my daughters would be if I gave them a gun and sent them out to shanghai drug dealers. In the book, Stephanie was no more a vigilante or a Marge Helgenberger than one of my daughters would be. The movie Stephanie? Highly disappointing. They dressed up Katherine Heigel in tight jeans, high leather boots, tank top and leather jacket. She appeared as a seasoned cop straight off the set of CSI. Evanovich’s Stephanie couldn’t possibly afford that outfit or become an expert marksman or lock picker in the short week the story takes place within. It was so sad to see such an imperfectly perfect character completely pushed aside for one that is polished, sleek and tough.
The movie Stephanie made the film very commonplace and a bit boring. Evanvovich’s Stephanie was completely lost in the screenplay.
Upon leaving the theater I was telling my husband maybe it’s not good to read the book first. By the time we got home I decided no, it’s still best to read the book first, then see the movie. Right now I’m reading Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, and then plan to see the movie. So far, I don’t even see how they are going to make a movie out of this book. I tend to think it’s going to be one where the character is not changed as much, but the story will be. This question seems a little similar to the chicken/egg conundrum. In any case, I think I’ll need to do quite a few more book/movie movie/book combinations before I decide which way is better.
And so, as another day goes by, the whole movie thing tonight was really to keep my husband’s mind off the Super Bowl tomorrow and his heart somewhat calm, (lol), and I have written. Go Pats!
Leave a Reply