Book magic at the cinema

Summer means beach reads and blockbuster movies. Hollywood adapts many books for film, of course. So far this year, we could have headed to the theater to catch Jane Eyre, Something Borrowed, Water for Elephants and Everything Must Go (based on Raymond Carver’s “Why Don’t You Dance?”), among others.

I saw the recent film version of Jane Eyre, one of my favorite books. Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland, The Kids Are All Right) played Jane beautifully, but I prefer the Masterpiece adaptation that aired on PBS in 2007. The latter, which aired in two parts, had the luxury of more screen time to devote to story development. For example, Jane’s friendship with classmate Helen is much more satisfying in the TV version than the film, which rushes through the Lowood School section of the novel.

I might squeeze in a reading of The Help in anticipation of the movie starring Viola Davis, out Aug. 12. Other book-to-film adaptations hitting theaters soon include Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (July 15), Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (July 15) and One Day (Aug. 19).

Which movie based on a book are you looking forward to most? What do you think of the adaptations released so far this year? Do you usually read the book first or not necessarily?

—Sarah C. Lange, associate editor

Comments

purpleclaire wrote re: Book magic at the cinema on Thu, Jun 16 2011 1:22 PM I loved One Day as a book and there is no way I'm going to go and see the film, in case it ruins it!

Sarah C. Lange wrote re: Book magic at the cinema on Fri, Jun 17 2011 9:36 AM I know how you feel. Some adaptations can be pretty disappointing!