Favourite big screen adaptations of books?
January 3, 2008
A few days ago I finished reading Cormac McCarthy’s utterly majestic ‘No country for old men’ because I wanted to be out in good time before the movie hits our cinemas.
Unfortunately for us Europe is always behind when it comes to movie premieres which makes it utterly frustrating to check sites like IMDB and read people’s comments about how good or useless something is 4 months before I will even get near it. But I’m not bitter even though the longing to see this movie is giving me sleepless nights.
A fun thing that happened was that I decided to kill some time by compiling a list of my favourite big screen adaptations of great novels and since I mentioned lists, I think it’s suitable to start with High Fidelity. Never has a book resonated with me like this one because I’m a music geek and a complete curmudgeon way before I should be. The film is awesome as well. I watch it all the time and the casting is absolutely perfect. Nick Hornby’s books usually make for a very enjoyable transition to the big screen and ‘About a boy’ along with the original version of ‘Fever Pitch’ are comedies I can generally watch any time.
I’m writing this while watching ‘Wonder Boys’ for about the 27th time which should give an indication that I really love that adaptation as well. The book is one of my favourites of all time; I just love the utter weirdness and comic genius in it and I can’t find many faults with Curtis Hanson’s take on it.
The dialogue is unforgettable and I crack up every time Michael Douglas utters the following: “Ok James, I’m sorry you shot my wife’s dog. Just because me and Poe weren’t what you would call simpatico doesn’t mean he had to take two in the chest”.
Deadpan delivery at its best.
‘Fight Club’ along with ‘Fear and loathing in Las Vegas also need to be mentioned in this context. Classic novels and awesome films that will always top my list.
You’ll notice that I have neglected to mention several obvious choices but that is because I simply don’t find them as interesting as the above mentioned. These are my choices and a good portal to my tastes in popular culture. There are many more that can be mentioned here but if I continue then this is in grave danger of turning into an anthology, so we’ll cut it here.
Of course, none of the movies are as good as the books but that almost doesn’t need to be mentioned and it’s not the point either. This is just about mentioning the occasions when a director came close to capturing an author’s vision.
What’s the next list to have some fun with? I’m thinking favourite soundtracks for a possible next one…
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I agree - I’m one of the few Americans with a copy of the FIRST Fever Pitch - the one about soccer. I’ve got all of Hornby’s adaptations (and think both How to be Good and The Long Way Down would make great films.)
Also, Wonder Boys was my least favorite Michael Chabon novel, but it’s a great movie. Imagine how great The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay will be. (In theaters soon, I hope)
For fear of sounding lame, I’d add two more: The Harry Potter series has come out with some phenomenal children’s/fantasy films. And, of course, before The Godfather I and II, there was Mario Puzo’s The Godfather (which encompasses the entire first movie and the flashback scenes with DeNiro in the second.)
I’m sure there’s more, but I dont’ get out to movies often. Too bad for me, I guess.