I can't think of a topic more rife with strong preferences than the translation of a beloved book into film. There are those that were disappointing in the translation: The Shining, Bonfire of the Vanities, VI Warshawski. There are just as many that were quite successful: Roots, almost anything by Robert Parker, a few of the Agatha Christie series. But regardless, when we read a book we create a vision of the characters and the surroundings that is completely our own. It isn't always easy to articulate, but we know what it is, and we know when it is right on film. We are only truly satisfied when the film and the director's vision are close to our own.
Of course, we can always separate ourselves from the book and judge the movie as a stand-alone. I have done that on a number of occasions, with The Shining and even with Demi Moore's rendition of the Scarlet Letter (sorry none of the GMILCS library has this gem). If you just pretend that this is a new story that is totally unrelated to that book you liked so much, you might find much to enjoy in the film. The Shining is a good horror film, but it in no way reaches the intent or the true scariness of the book. When I read it way way many years ago, I had to stop before dinner, otherwise I knew I wouldn't be sleeping that night. The Scarlet Letter? There is a PBS version that is really good, but I found Demi's a guilty pleasure. It bore no resemblance to the book so I just watched for the B movie it was.
The Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder is a series of books I can reread at any time. I recall not too long ago on a quiet summer night in Maine, reading The Long Winter. At some point I got up to let the dog out and was really startled to see there was no snow outside. I certainly never got drawn into the story like that when watching the Little House series on TV.
So when I read that the cast had been set for the Janet Evanovich/Stephanie Plum movie - I was kind of worried. I love the series, and the characters are clearly imprinted in my mind's eye. Now that Sandra Bullock was too old, who could they decide to cast? Well, I have to admit, they made some great choices. I'm not sure about the choice for Ranger, but I think Grandma Mazur is going to be a hoot. What do you think?
