Read the book before you see the movie
More and more movies seem to be based on books. I take this as a good sign in many respects, but I often wonder if people are actually reading these books. Did everyone read Ludlum’s Bourne Ultimatum before scurrying to the theater last weekend to see Matt Damon? (As an aside, could the careers of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck be any different?!) Now, I haven’t seen the newest Bourne, but then again I rarely see things in the theater now that I have a toddler. However, I haven’t read any of the Bourne series thus far, and can’t see myself doing so prior to seeing the latest installment.
But that doesn’t mean that I don’t see the merit in reading a book before seeing the movie. There are a number of books that you simply must read before you see the movie. It would be a crime if you watched Breakfast of Champions before reading the book. Actually, it might be a crime to simply watch that movie. Look at what Kevin Costner did to David Brin’s The Postman … if you can. And what of any of the Philip K. Dick movie translations?
There are some movies which can stand on their own, that you wouldn’t need to read the book to enjoy. The House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus, III jumps to mind, but I’d be one of those who would annoy theatergoers and say ‘but the book was better.’ I’d be right though.
So as the editor of the lifestyle category for the Vizu network, I ran a poll that asked the question: If based on a novel, do you like to read the book before seeing the movie?
- 45% said it would depend on the book/movie
- 31% said yes
- 19% said no, they’d just see the movie
- 5% said no, they’d just read the book
I was pleased that only 19% said they’d just see the movie, and think it bodes well for the continuing power of the written word. Out of nearly 500 responses, 4 out of 5 indicated that they would read or consider reading the book before seeing the movie.
I’d fall squarely in the ‘it depends’ category since I wouldn’t read a Grisham before seeing a movie adaptation, but would certainly read Everything is Illuminated prior to seeing that film. I’ d like to see Jarhead, but won’t until I read the book. Some, I won’t even see the movie because I don’t want the version I’ve created in my head to be in any way changed. A recent example of this would be The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
So let’s get some chatter going, what movie adaptations would you never see? Which ones would you need to read the book prior to seeing the movie?
August 9th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Long time mystery fan here. Most times I’ve read the book (or others in a book series) prior to seeing the movie. Exception has been L. A. Confidential, where I saw the movie first then read the book. The film actually enhanced the book, imho.
August 9th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
Thanks for the comment. So you’d fall into the ‘it depends’ category as well. I suspect that’s where anyone who reads a lot and enjoys going to the movies will wind up.
Now … L.A. Confidential, that was a fantastic movie and while I haven’t read the book I’d find it hard to believe the book could be better than the movie. Crowe was good, but I thought Pearce was amazing (as he usually is) and the way Spacey’s eyes go dead is a classic movie moment in my book.
August 12th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Generally, the translation to the big screen always leaves something untold, something crucial from the book. Or so has been my experience.
And don’t even get me started on the Bourne transformation. The movies have only one thing in common with the books and that’s the title. Period. The story in the books is completely different : about a master terrorist Carlos and a master spy aka Bourne’s continued attempts to find him while struggling to find once and for all if he himself is Carlos with amnesia. If you’ve seen any of these movies, you know that’s not what Hollywood has shown. I hate when they do that. I also disliked the Keira Knightley version of Pride and Prejudice. Something’s always lost in the translation.
In essence, either read the book or see the movie. Don’t do both, especially don’t see the movie after having read the book. It’s never the same again.
August 31st, 2007 at 12:31 pm
Books and movies are to different mediums. A book or movie can be great on their on merit independent of each other. Those that claim they will not see a movie because the book was so great or that they will not read the book because they do not have the time could lose out on a great opportunity in the long run.
February 26th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
hey, im glad you wrote this. im giving a speech soon on why reading the book is better than seeing the movie, and i hope you dont mind that i use your poll in it.