Turning Books Into Movies

One of my all time favorite books comes out as a movie today and it’s gotten me thinking, somewhat, about turning books into movies. I always cringe just a little when I hear that they’re making a movie out of a beloved book. When I heard about Ender’s Game, I’ll admit to crying a little. It’s such a phenomenal book…and I just don’t see how the movie could possibly do it justice. And even if the script stays close to the novel…the people won’t look like *I* imagined them. Nor will the settings. And so on, and so forth.

It’s kind of like Harry Potter all over again. And while I’ll admit to enjoying the Harry Potter movies, the books are still so much better. Fred and George and Neville get such short shrift in the movie and they’re, at least in my mind, just as important as Harry in the books. And Dobby. Poor, dear Dobby. He’s such a delightful creature and we so little of him in the movie comparatively. (Though I’ll admit to being pleased with how Dobby looked. That was spot on for me.)

I read today (and maybe I’m behind the times) that Unbroken (by Laura Hillenbrand) is being made into a movie, directed by Angelina Jolie. I loved Unbroken, and yet…you throw Angelina Jolie in there and I have to scratch my head. Now, granted, I’ve not seen anything she’s directed. And I assume she didn’t write the script. But…I’m a tad worried about that one, too.

In some ways, I wish they’d leave the fantastic books alone. Make the mediocre books into movies – then they’re not such a huge disappointment. But it’s the books that are wonderful that always get optioned…and it seems like authors either can’t or won’t retain enough say to keep the movie from being cruddy. I always appreciated the fact that Anne McCaffrey never let her Pern books be made into movies. There were always rumors – and who knows, her sons may yet choose to – but the books are just so fantastic…I’d hate to see them wrecked by Hollywood.

Even with all that – and my rampant trepidation – I’ll be heading out to see Ender’s Game just as soon as I can find a sitter (hubby wants to see it too). I can’t resist. I know it’s not going to be perfect (or perhaps even close if you look at the trailers…it’s called ENDER’S game…where is Ender in the trailers? It’s all Harrison Ford. And I love Harrison as much as the next red blooded female, but it’s not supposed to be about him.)

What about you? Are you a book-to-movie fan? Love ’em? Hate ’em? Ride the fence? Or do you have a favorite adaptation? Or a worst?