Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Dadsnet

Speak to new fathers on our Dads forum.

Original poster

Any films you wouldn't watch because you love the book?

33 replies

PadDad · 30/01/2009 09:09

I think I've only avoided one film because I loved the book too much.

That was John Irving's 'A Prayer for Owen Meaney', which shows up on a lot of peoples favs ever. It was made into the film 'Simon Birch', and you could tell from the reviews that it didn't really 'get' the book, so I avoided.

I really love Alan Moore's 'Watchmen'. Even though the trailer looks excellent, and obviously adapted by someone who appreciates the book, I'm still not sure it can be compressed into 2 hours.

Any films you wouldn't watch because of your love for the book? Time Traveller's Wife, for example?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
choosyfloosy · 30/01/2009 09:11

I don't think I have ever not gone to a film purely because I loved the book - I just sit there nitpicking.

I do however wish I had not watched the old 50s movie of A Town Like Alice, which is utterly dire and captured precisely 0% of the potency of the book.

purplemonkeydishwasher · 30/01/2009 09:13

under no circumstances should you watch Simon Birch.

It was vaguely related to the book. but they changed the plot and characters so much. it was pathetic.

snigger · 30/01/2009 09:18

John Irving wouldn't be associated with the film Simon Birch - that's why it couldn't use the Owen Meany name, it's so far from the essence of the book.

I usually watch adaptations on the assumption it'll be rubbish, that way you can occasionally be pleasantly surprised.

Original poster
PadDad · 30/01/2009 09:31

Alan Moore also disassociates himself from all film adaptations of his work, even when it could prove profitable for him:

League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
From Hell
V for Vendetta

The rights aren't controlled by him.

OP posts:
DadInsteadofMum · 30/01/2009 14:32

I have not yet seen a decent interpretation of any John Irving book, the depth of characterisations and intricacies of plot that he weaves just don't work, GARP probably came closest but still didn't quite work

DadInsteadofMum · 30/01/2009 14:32

Sorry - just don't work in a film

ContainsMildPeril · 30/01/2009 14:34

Lord of the Rings
Memoirs of a Geisha

purplemonkeydishwasher · 30/01/2009 14:35

is it possible to cram that much story into a movie? i'm talking any book.

if it's good it's more a case of making a good film (sort of) based on a book rather than an actual film version of the book.

purplemonkeydishwasher · 30/01/2009 14:36

joy luck club was good
i like the nick hornby films.

i'm concerned about how time travellers wife will work.

DadInsteadofMum · 30/01/2009 15:05

I didn't mind Lord of the Rings, taking PMD's point, it was the best interpretation of the book within the limitations of the medium. Except for the Elves, in the book they are standing alongside the other races just fighting the battles on different fronts so don't feature in the main book, whereas in the film you suddenly have Elrond and Galdriel umming and ahhing about whether to get involved and then they all suddenly turn up at Helms Deep.

Original poster
PadDad · 30/01/2009 17:00

Dadinsteadofmum,

Have you seen the adaptation of John Irving's 'Widow for One Year?' Very cleverly, they only filmed the first third of the book, the bit where the boy is apprentice to the writer/artist.

I think the film was called 'The Door in the Floor' (or some other phrase from the book) and I think it was starring Jeff Bridges. John Irving called it the best adaptation of his work.

OP posts:
choosyfloosy · 30/01/2009 17:25

Nick Hornby adaptations vary I think. High Fidelity and About a Boy IMO were better than the books. Fever Pitch was so terrible I wanted to weep - wish i hadn't seen that one either.

purplemonkeydishwasher · 31/01/2009 11:43

ah see, i've never seen Fever Pitch. thankfully! ;)

DadInsteadofMum · 31/01/2009 20:41

Pad - I avoided it because I saw it only did the first third, I just felt that without the eventual resolution how could you properly understand the characters.

thomsc · 17/03/2009 14:16

I can't go and watch 'I am Legend' (the Will Smith flesh eating vampire zombie movie).

They made a HAPPY ENDING! FFS... sigh

I'm considering lobbying for a Listed Books / Records register. Like a Listed Building scheme for films, books, records etc. No-one would be allowed to remake / alter / cover anything on the list.

This would have stopped Stallone's Get Carter for a start. And about 50% of the singles charts.

HumphreyCobbler · 17/03/2009 14:19

Yes the happy ending of Legend was unbelievable thomsc, pissed me right off.

I avoided The Dark is Rising film as it looked horrendous and the books are so precious to me. I wish I hadn't seen The Golden Compass for the same reason.

Jux · 17/03/2009 14:27

I thought The Golden Compass was pretty good for an adaptation of a pretty crap book. But hey, I didn't like the books so what do I know?

georgimama · 17/03/2009 14:40

The Duchess or whatever they called it because the idea of Keira Knightley as Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire is laughable.

That Keanu Reeves film Constantine (the Hellblazer graphic novels adaptation) - John Constantine was blond, he was English, he was from Liverpool ffs.

HumphreyCobbler · 17/03/2009 15:14

Jux - are you the other fan of Robertson Davies who frequents mn?

knockedgymnast · 17/03/2009 19:08

'Ps, I love you' was a fantastic read but haven't as yet, seen the film. Been told it's not as good.

Jux · 17/03/2009 20:02

HumphreyCobbler, I am a fan of RD. I do frequent mn. There may be more of us.....

(doo doo do do doo doo do do)

HumphreyCobbler · 17/03/2009 20:43

Jux - I knew I had met at least one but have namechanged since then and forgotten where I met you!

If we agree about the wonderful Robertson, how can we have such a different opinion of Pullman? That really is weird...

Now I do think a film from a RD novel would be interesting.

Original poster
PadDad · 18/03/2009 08:35

When I lived with Canadians at uni I read a few Robertson Davies books and loved them.

I can't remember them now (the Trilogy?) Remind me why I should re-read them?

Actually I should just google it myself, shouldn't I?

'll get me coat.

But I would be interested in hearing about other Mumsnetters' opinions on him.

OP posts:
HumphreyCobbler · 18/03/2009 08:43

PadDad as you can see from my name I am a big RD fan.

You could have read The Cornish Trilogy, The Deptford Trilogy or The Salterton Trilogy. Ring any bells? They are all worth a re-read.

I love the fact that his books are so full of interesting information and different perspectives. I also like his character descriptions
"She had a mind as flat as Holland - the salt flats, not the tulip fields"
sticks in my mind.

Jux · 18/03/2009 12:47

Actually, I'm being a little hard on Pullman. His Dark Materials were really 'bigged up' on The Big Read a few years ago and I had really looked forward to reading them. We couldn't afford new books at the time (still can't really) so I would save for ages to get a special one new, big treat. I got Pullman's new, from a real bookshop! Then I read them and thought, these aren't for adults at all, these are for 12 year olds.

I don't think I'd want to see a film of any of RD's books. So much of the pleasure is from reading his musings, rather than the action/plot.

They are contemplative and teach me things, and show me the world in a way I wouldn't have been able to see it by myself. For me, that is their true worth. (And the lovely prose!)