Favourite books - yes or no to being adapted into film???

[caspercat]

Sorry if been done before, but interested to know. Have 2 all time favourite ever books :
Memoirs of a Geisha - thought film was dull dull dull!
The Secret History - long been rumours of being made into a film, but constantly shelved. I think this is the best book ever, so in 2 minds about film version. Could be fabulous, or a complete shambles (esp if Gwyneth Paltrow involved) [annoying bint emoticon needed].

However, loved book AND film of American Psycho, but best not to tell too many peeps in case it makes me A BAD MOTHER!!!

Any thoughts????

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Woman in White by wilkie collins,would make a great film,would have to have a think about the casting hmmmm

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Lordy, did you really like American Psycho - book freaked me out so much I refused to see the film (& am not known as easily freaked...)

I did! Don't hate me. I have a remarkably high tolerance for (fictional) blood and gore.
As for the Secret History, i think casting would be a major problem. At one time would have said poss. John Cusack for Richard & Kirsten Dunst for Camilla. But obviously both a bit past for that now!

caspercat, I liked american psycho too...

Ok, but the bit with the coat hanger... did you not put the book down at that point?? (I did, obviously, pick it back up again, buy ykwim??)

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oh dear Socci, not a good combination of events

I preferred the book to the film, as the film seemed to make it clear that Patrick wasn't just fantasizing but was harming people, whereas the book implied that it was all just sick fantasizing. IMHO.

Mummytosteven, how interesting, I didn't get that bit from the book at all...the fantasy part. Hmmm - yes the bit with the coathanger stayed with me for ages unfortunately. I didn't watch the film as I thought it would be grim.

Most beloved books end up being disappointing films in some way. There is always something that doesn't fit/part of story missing/shocking casting that lets it down.

BBC's P&P adaptation notwithstanding.

I saw American Psycho first (thought it was hysterical) and then read the book which frankly terrified me.. it was truly excruciating to read in parts.

In general I think film versions are good ideas.

Have to say re; American P. that I'm glad Leo Di Caprio didnt get the part, I dont think it would have suited him at all.

Films of fave books never get it just how you imagine. And that's when they are done well - which is virtually never. I say LAY OFF MY FAVE BOOKS you evil film-makers!

Noteable exceptions - Lord of the Rings (but poss cos I didn't like the books at all) and Gone With The Wind (superb book, superb movie!)

Why do we need 'film versions'? Why not just read the books? I loved Harry Potter when it came out - but now I can't read them without seeing the cast from the films and I wish I'd retained my original mental pictures about Hogwarts and everything.

i think the talented mr ripley is an excellent film adaptation of the book.

lives of the monster dog by kirsten bakis would make a great movie. that was short n' sweet! lol

Oh I thought Talented Mr Ripley was awful. Long and tedious once Jude Law was bumped off. One fot eh few movies I have seen where the entire cinema audience sighed with relief when it finally managed to ned. The novel was deliciously amoral and subversive. I just found the movie dull. And Gwinnie Paltrow desparately miscast - her character was supposed to be dowdy.

I didn't see the "sequel" with John Malkovitch - but he is much closer to Ripley to my mind. Brilliant, deadly...and why do we want him to succeed? - a great antihero.

FloatinginSpace - I can't understand that attitude either - doesn't he have an imagination to create Harry's world without various directors doing it for him?

I re-read The Dark Is Rising sequence (Susan Cooper) recently - took me right back to childhood and my memory brought back how I imagined each scene perfectly - delicious. (Great books too - knock the socks of Harry imho).

Not exactly American Psycho I know, but I am thinking I may not take dcs to see Charlottes Web.
Have just read it to them, they loved it and I was reminded how much I loved it too.
Of course i never appreciated (as a child) that it's beautifully written.

I love the High Fidelity movie! Fell in love with Jack Black .

I'm not expecting much from the Golden Compass movie out this winter (Philip Pullman's Northern Lights), it's never going to match up but I'll go and see it at the cinema. Nicole Kidman seems spot on casting for Mrs Coulter.

Thought the Harry Potter films have all been fine, Goblet of Fire was even better as the book needed 20% cutting out.

I was mentally scarred by the film adaptation of Iain Bank's book Complicity; book great & dark, film utter, utter pants.

BoD, apparently they're cutting out all references to religion from Philip Pullman's book... not sure how that works.