The Thursday Murder Club

[AnneElliotfanclub]

Anyone else been to see this? Was really looking forward to it but rather disappointed by changes to the plot.

Not sure whether to go and see this for the cast. It was the worst book I’ve ever read.

I plan to watch it on Netflix but was disappointed in the four leads cast. I didn’t see any of them as those actors, except perhaps Ben Kingsley but he wasn’t my first choice. In the book, Bogdan was my favourite character so I hope they haven’t strayed too far from him. I believe 10-inch is in it as a baddie, he’s so ubiquitous now…But yep, of course I will still watch it.

I am waiting to watch on Netflix. But I had assumed it was a 6 part series, so I am disappointed it is a film. They must miss out so much! So annoying when they reduce a book right down.

I binge read all the books in the last few weeks, loved them and couldn’t wait to watch this. I’m not good at remembering details of books though so I may not notice the plot twist 😂But I have hated it when other tv adaptations change key features of the plot. I had to stop watching Firefly Lane because of this.

I always pictured Ron to be a bit more like the guy in Minder. Forget his name. Pierce Brosnan is a strange choice. But I love the others.

Richard Osman talked about it on a recent episode of The Rest is Entertainment, around the premiere of the film.

Amblin Entertainment (founded by Spielberg) bought the rights even before the book was published, so after that it was out of his hands what happened to it -- he had no involvement with the screenplay etc.

Originally it was supposed to be, I think, a cinema release, then Amblin said it was going to go straight to a streamer as with the cast it got attached, it became more expensive than originally envisaged. I think Netflix let them have a week's cinema release as a favour.

I have to say RO carefully avoided saying anything about what he thought of the film, and kept stressing that it didn't really feel like anything to do with him, and that he was always nervous about a book coming out, but didn't turn a hair about the film, and was even able to read the reviews quite happily, whereas he never reads his book reviews. I intuited that while he was delighted with some of the cast (he's very enthusiastic about Pierce Brosnan), he wasn't the film's biggest fan.

@RuthandPen

Ahh - I usually listen to that podcast, but haven’t over the holidays. I will have a listen though. It must be very difficult as an author to see your work on screen being interpreted and changed by someone else

I think it's been said that it is Pierce Brosnan as in one of the books , Ron is asked who would play him in a film about his life and he says Pierce Brosnan.

I’ve just watched The Night Manager again - 6 episodes and even then they had to miss out a sub plot or two.

i’d love to hear Katy Brand talk honestly about writing the screenplay.

I believe him when he says it feels like not much to do with him. I was on a TV set earlier this year with a novelist friend, one of whose books was adapted into a TV series, and she felt the same.

(I've nearly stopped listening to TRIE -- Richard has got very mansplainy of late, and keeps interrupting Marina. And my interest in the Beckham feud is nil.)

I think TRIE is the ropiest of the Goal Hanger stable (not that I listen to all of them) but recently Hyde has been on excellent form.

I thought it was very interesting how Osman described the film. I felt he was really putting some distance between himself and it.

Having read all the comments, and agreeing that if you have loved a book, it can be hard to appreciate a film or series where the characters and plot deviate from the original story, (often simply due to time restraints).

We watched it at home this morning, we were in the mood for a light hearted comedy and that is exactly what we got. I think it would be a shame for viewers to allow all the negative comments to put them off, without watching and making up their own minds.
I suspect a lot of viewers will enjoy it, just as a film without making comparisons.

On Netflix for me, it is still showing as ‘coming soon’ and asks me to set a reminder!

Well, DD and I have just sat down for two hours and watched it together.
Reference to spoilers/adaptation so do not read on if you haven't seen it yet
Pros:
I liked the streamlined version as I hated the first book. The sequels have been much better.
Cast:
Had Helen as E. given her performance in Red
Ben was fine as Ibrahim.
I was taken with Celia as J. I had thought Lesley Manville but Celia was good/impish. Liked her performance.
Loved Naomi as Donna.
Jonathan good as Stephen.

Pierce was okay. Not my choice for Ron but was okay.
Tom was just about okay as Jason.
Nepowife Ingrid was okay as Joanna.
R.E G. was okay as Bobby.

I do think that David Tennant was miscast and was awful in this.

I also think that arresting Bogdan gets tricky as did not think serving police officers can fraternise with ex cons.
Easy enough to write out of it if you have E. collect him from prison in an opening scene to
sequel. But makes the timeline/Donna relationship harder to write. Even if you put manslaughter and mitigating, bludgeoned implies a weapon rather than a fist/one punch. Even with connections and character ref. not sure how E. could get him off.

Columbus has said they will know from the weekend viewing figures if the sequel is a -go.
It does make me wonder why, having spent all that money on the cast, they didn't do 1+2 back to back and 3+4 pending stats.
He has said he would happily film 2+3 back-to -back if greenlit.
Given no. 5 book is due out in Autumn(?) that gives you 4+5 to shoot if there is demand for it.
It was light viewing, a bit mimsy squad/midsomer murders vibe but they knew it and leaned into it.
Cake looked bake off delish!

I had this msg and was so frustrated. I had to do a search & go into the film that way…try it, I hope it works for you too.

Thanks! It’s there now! Just have to wait until DC is in bed before I can watch it in peace

I have just preordered Book 5

Not loving it so far - many of the characters are just wrong, as is Coopers Chase.

Donna is perfect though.

I’m glad you said that about the first book and sequels because I hated the first book too but having enjoyed the film I had wondered whether to give book 2 a try

With a main cast whose average age must be 80, I imagine it's prudent not to over-commit at one go!

Just watched it on Netflix. I've read all the books and enjoyed them but don't think the script was strong enough and it didn't transfer over well onto film.

I enjoyed though, easy watching. Pierce Brosnan wasn't Northern enough.

Pierce Brosnan’s accent was all over the place

So was David Tennant’s.

and very clearly a one off movie, twee and almond the witty characters of the book were lost.

instead it was a straight to TV disappointment

Pierce Brosnan wasn't Northern enough

I thought he was supposed to be Cockney?

Yes, this wasn’t David Tennant’s finest role

Just started watching it tonight. First (distracting) thought right at the start was that RO's wife Ingrid Oliver was shoehorned in pretty quickly.

I saw the film at the cinema (one of those ones with at seat service for booze and snacks and comfy sofas). I seem to remember it was just 90 minutes long, so a lot was cut.

It worked fine on a big screen in a dark room and a drink!

As much as I like some of the stuff they do, Pierce B seemed miscast and David T seemed to be doing a lazy version of Crowley (Good Omens).