Books and films both tell stories, but what we want from a book can be different from what we want from a movie. Is this true for you? If so, what’s the difference between a book and a movie?

Hmmm…  Interesting topic…  Both express narratives, but in such different ways, and each requires such a different set of cognitive skills!

As I get older, I seem to be more critical of movies than I used to be.  Ten years ago I taught a mass media class to upper-classmen and enjoyed analyzing all sort of techniques — from camera angles to lighting to acting.  During this period I seemed to like just about any movie. 

But now I tend to get so impatient with movies!  Maybe at the ripe old age of 38 I’ve seen too many and can’t help but compare whatever I’m watching to my whole catalog of favorites?  I’m not sure… 

My husband and I try to see each of the Academy Award nominees before the ceremony, and I do enjoy this exercise even if I don’t love every selection.  

Lately the Academy has been nominating a bit out of the box — the occasional comedy or cutting-edge teen flick (Juno) — but usually the selections are dark and dramatic (which I tend to like, fortunately).  I think I enjoy seeing what “those in the know” consider to be the best offerings each year.  (Last year our hands down favorite was Gone, Baby, Gone — largely ignored by the academy).

Obviously, reading requires more of our cognitive abilities than movies do (if you’re not convinced of this, notice the deluge of spring movies in classrooms across the country — as soon the little learners’ brain waves begin to slow and flatten, peace reigns…).  Most of us have been reading so long, we don’t really notice the “cognitive mechanics” of reading (unless we’re reading a book we don’t enjoy!). 

I like to go into a new book with very little background — I don’t read the blurb on the cover and I try not to read many reviews — so I obviously try not to see a movie before I read the book.  I really want my experience to be between the author and myself.

This is obviously impossible with a movie since the director and actors are influencing and manipulating your impressions of the characters and story from the opening sequence.  Not that this is bad — it is simply part of the medium of film. 

But I think this is why we tend to be disappointed with film adaptations of books:  the director/actor/etc. simply interpreted the story differently than we did.  Now there are a few exceptions — and I would LOVE to hear which adaptations you particularly like. 

Here are some of my favorite adaptations that seem to express the spirit of the book the same way I did: 

• A & E’s Pride and Prejudice – from Elizabeth to Jane to Colin Firth’s brooding Darcy, they nailed it!  Worth every minute of the six hours…
• A Room with a View
• The Last of the Mohicans (hmmm…  my last two choices feature Daniel Day…)
• Gone with the Wind

And here are my picks for those films I thought were actually better than the book:

• The Horse Whisperer
• The Notebook
• The Bridges of Madison County

I bet I could think of more, but it is my husband’s birthday and we are heading out to enjoy the gorgeous weather and a delicious dinner…

What have I left off my lists?

Welcome back!

Most Commented Posts

• Review and Free Giveaway: The Stepmother
• It’s Thursday — What Book is Your State?
• TLC Tours Presents: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
• Review and Free Giveaway: Best Friends Forever
• Review and Free Giveaway: Rooftops of Tehran
• Review and Free Giveaway: After You
• 50 States, 50 Books List
• TLC Tours: The Local News
• Review and Free Giveaway: When Will There Be Good News?
• Review and Free Giveaway: Still Alice