What I've Seen- Little Women

I mentioned to someone a few weeks before the new Little Women was released in theaters that I was excited to see it. Their response: No, there have been too many. I don't want to see it. But the reviews I kept hearing were raving and the cast is fantastic and I really wanted to see it. So I did.

And it was fantastic!

Saoirse Ronan as Jo was perfection! Emma Watson as Meg was so sweet. Laura Dern was a surprisingly good Marmee and Meryl Streep surprises no one with her wonderfully cantankerous Aunt March. I wasn't previously familiar with Florence Pugh or Eliza Scanlen, the actors who play Amy and Beth, but they more than met the high expectations I had for the film portrayal of this classic novel. Told in alternating timelines, the story was a little difficult to follow for my twelve-year-old who hasn't yet read the book, but it wasn't impossible. I loved this movie and I was thrilled that it was so well done. I haven't read the book for nearly twenty years, but this makes me want to add it back on to my list.

What I've Seen- A Discovery of Witches

When I read the news a couple of years ago that one of my favorite book series, The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness, was being made into a television series I was absolutely thrilled. I thought that would be a better format than a film because it would allow more time to fit in all the wonderful details written by Harkness. I was even more excited when I read that Harkness was also involved with the production- surely she would be sure they didn't make a hash of it. And then I was disappointed when I saw that it would air on the Sundance channel, but then I found out my local library had the first season on DVD so I put my name on the reserve list and waited patiently.

While I waited, I pressed friends for their reviews of the show. They all gave raving reviews! This show was going to be amazing- everyone said so. Finally, I received the much anticipated alert in my email that said the DVD set was ready and waiting for me on the library hold shelf. I buckled in for a long binge session, started the first episode, and nearly cried with disappointment. Matthew Goode is wonderful as Matthew Clairmont and several of the other actors are very good as well, but Teresa Palmer is flat and unconvincing, Lindsay Duncan is far too old to play Ysabeau, and Alex Kingston just doesn't seem to be given enough time to show her talent. Actually, that is a complaint I have about a lot of the character development in this series- the camera seems to just glance off so many of the actors and the pacing is too rushed to get to know this large cast.

I was also extremely frustrated that a show with such brilliant source material could fall so short. The writing in the books is polished and beautiful and well-paced. The writing in the show is weak and rushed and the dialogue is frequently changed from what works very well in the books to stilted and cheesy in the show. In addition, the musical score appears to have been added in post as a way to prop up a show that was lacking in substance. The background music, rather than subtly adding to the atmosphere of the scene, is almost intrusive and distracting.

I am so relieved that I didn't spend any money on watching this show. It wasn't a complete failure, but it was very disappointing, especially considering that the author is involved in the production. I have hopes that maybe the second season will be better, but again I will wait until I can borrow it from the library. In the mean time, I highly recommend you listen to the audio versions of the books. Jennifer Ikeda is a fantastic narrator. 

What I've Seen- Ready Player One

When people say, "The book was better!", I don't always agree, but usually there is so much left out of a film by necessity for time that I feel that way, too.

With Ready Player One, THE BOOK WAS BETTER!

I don't mind when a few scenes are eliminated or an interaction between characters is reworked, but I really don't like it when the entire storyline shifts and when certain characters bear no resemblance to their book counterparts. I specifically read the book now so that I could see the film before it left theaters. My husband, who hasn't read the book, went with me to see the movie and he really enjoyed it. He isn't alone. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a score of 74% which is really pretty good. Most articles I've read discussing the changes from book to film were positive, saying that they actually made the film better.

What really surprised me was that Ernest Cline, the author was also one of the screenwriters. Maybe that should make me feel better because the changes were writer-approved, but it doesn't. I liked the movie fine, but by the halfway point I was so distracted by the changes that it reduced the enjoyment for me. I had to stop myself from whispering to my husband, "That's not how it happened in the book!" Maybe this is just one of those cases where it's okay to see the movie first and then read the book. I didn't hate it, and maybe if I hadn't read the book I really would have liked it, but I was disappointed.

Check out the trailer and see what you think:

What I've Seen- Before I Fall

Earlier this year, I finally got around to reading Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver. I had meant to read it sooner, but you know...so many books, so little time. I had intended to read it in anticipation of seeing the film when it was released in March, but life intervened and by the time I was able to go to the theater, it was no longer there. This week I finally had my chance to see it and I have to say I was pleased with the film version.

So many times I see a film adaptation of a book I enjoyed and I am frustrated by the bits that have been removed from the story for the sake of time. In this case, there were quite a few secondary storylines that were removed, I assume for time and story simplification, but I wasn't angry about it. The feel of the story was the same and the viewer could clearly keep up with the story even if she hadn't -GASP!- read the book first.

The movie, as it should, kept the book's ending in tact, and even though it wasn't the ending I would have liked, it was the right thing to do. Critics didn't love this movie and it wasn't a phenomenon at the box office, but it was good and if you liked the book, I recommend watching the film.

What I've Seen- Wonder

This weekend, the family and I went to see Wonder. This is a book I read four years ago and loved.

I had this to say about it:

"When I say that that books like this one have the power to change the world it is because of the opportunity the reader has to gain so much in the way of compassion and empathy.  The value of reading is in learning to see the world through someone else's eyes and that can easily be done here.  August's voice is clearly that of a ten-year-old boy.  Any young reader can feel what he feels and any older reader can remember that age and also knows that sometimes we all feel like a ten-year-old."

I loved this book for the potential it has to cause a shift in the way people think, they way they behave. And I loved the way this book showed that just because people are mean is no excuse to not be kind. I've read, over the years since I was first introduced to this book, where people take great offense at this book. They claim that it turns a boy into a freak show, something to be stared at and then to walk away and be grateful we aren't in his shoes. When I first learned about this point of view, it made me uncomfortable. Was that what I was doing?

No, I decided. No, I wasn't.

What I find admirable about Auggie isn't that he looks different from everyone else and still perseveres. Certainly he is brave, but what I find most commendable is his ability to maintain his kindness and forgiveness in the face of the unkindness of others. This is a lesson we can all learn. And what I love about this book is the opportunity for people to see that their words and actions have meaning, that they make an impact on the people around them, whether for good or ill.

Very rarely does a film adaptation leave me with no complaints. This movie accomplishes what all readers hope for their favorite books. It brings the beauty of the written word to life without losing the beloved spirit of the story. This movie is well worth your time and will not disappoint. Fair warning: Bring tissues.

  

What I've Seen- The Mountain Between Us

It is opening day for The Mountain Between Us starring Kate Winslet and Idris Elba. I read the book just last month and I was really, really looking forward to the movie. I could tell from the trailer that a few things had been changed, but the book wasn't perfect so I was willing to accept a few things that might help the story along. Well, turns out it was more than a few things that were changed.

The only thing they didn't change was the title!!!

I sat through the first half of the movie saying, "Wait, what?" After that, I just gave up. How can any screenwriter take one story and remove so much of the source material? So much of what gave the book heart was surgically excised; things that could have easily been left and things that were vital to the integrity of the characters.

Okay, so what if I were a movie-goer who hadn't read the book? Would I have been able to enjoy it then? No. Just no. One complaint I had about the book was the implausibility of some of the events and the survivability of the circumstances. The movie blew that completely out of the water.

I said the word 

so many times that I think I wore it out.

Seriously, nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. I know that people can survive some difficult things, but this? Nope.

I found this movie completely frustrating. This is a harsh statement, but I think this may be the WORST book-to-film adaptation that I have ever seen. It just wasn't at all the book and it wasn't a good movie on its own.

On the upside, I did get to eat Kettle Corn, so at least there's that.

What I've Seen- A Monster Calls

Four years ago I read A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness. If you've read that review you will know how deeply this book touched me. When I saw that a film version would be released I was thrilled. When I saw the trailer for the first time while seeing another movie, I had early tears in my eyes. When it lasted only a couple of weeks in the theater, which I sadly missed, I was frustrated. Hadn't people read this book? Didn't they know how wonderful it was and that the movie was bound to be as well??

I waited and waited for my chance to see this movie and it finally came this past weekend. My family had not read the book and I wouldn't give them any hints about the plot. Starring Felicity Jones, Sigourney Weaver, and the voice of Liam Neeson as the voice of the monster, this film was beautifully made. I have no idea why it didn't receive more attention. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a score of 88% Fresh and the reviews were good. I suppose sometimes good movies just fall through the cracks.

And it was a good movie. Lewis MacDougall was fantastic as Conor. The watercolor animation bits during the monster's stories was beautiful. And, yes, I cried. I cried so much. I am admittedly a cry baby, but I feel no shame in that. My family all enjoyed the movie and thought it was sad, but I'm the only weeper in the house. If you haven't read this book, today is the day. If you have, it is time to find a copy of this DVD. You won't be disappointed.

What I've Seen- Austenland

Today I watched a movie that I just love. Austenland, based on the book by Shannon Hale, stars Keri Russell, JJ Field, and Jennifer Coolidge. This book was darling, but the movie may be even better. Well, actually, I don't know if the movie is better, but it is definitely more fun. And I say that giving full credit to the book for being fun, the movie just somehow tops it. There is more humor and the fantastic soundtrack adds whimsy and levity. Jennifer Coolidge is perfectly suited to play Miss Charming and she is absolutely hilarious. The beautiful estate where the movie is filmed is everything one would hope for in an Austen themed getaway. I wish I could go stay there for a few weeks.

This movie is adorable and sweet and really funny. It is perfect for any day you need a little silliness, a little cheer, maybe a little goofy romance in your life. Check out the trailer here:

What I've Seen- The Handmaid's Tale

Nearly three years ago I read The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. I liked it, I was horrified by it, I wasn't sure how I felt about it. Today I finished watching Season One of the Hulu version of this book and I now know how I feel about it. I love it. And I'm still horrified. Starring Elizabeth Moss, we watch as women are subjugated to positions of singular purpose- wife, maid, child bearer. Women no longer have the right to own property, work, read, write or make decisions about their own bodies. This is all under the control of a new theocratic government that has displaced the previous rule of law.

Fertile women are rounded up to become handmaids for infertile couples. After severe training that requires absolute humility and meekness, they are sent to live in households with the hopes of countering the drastically reduced fertility rate.

This show is so hard to watch. I admit to covering my eyes and peeking through my fingers at least once per episode. When the introduction from Hulu warns that it is for "Mature Audiences Only" they are not kidding. Don't even have this on while your children might accidentally walk through the room. Beyond the scenes that you don't want children to see is the repellent subject matter. A government that refuses women any rights at all, that kills any objector or anyone the government deems sinful, that holds absolute power is something to fear. I found myself wondering how possible this actually could be. Could a rogue group stage a coup that could actually overturn the American government? What would be necessary to enslave a entire gender? Wouldn't there be places to hide and how long would the resistance last? How would people fight back?

Margaret Atwood, who makes a cameo appearance in Episode One, was heavily involved in the screenwriting and production process. The show has so many more details than the book and explores story lines that were not pursued in the novel and it is comforting to know this was all done with the author's approval. If you haven't read this book yet, it is time. And then you need to watch this show. Don't watch first- read first.

And then wait with me on pins and needles for Season Two!

What I've Seen- The Circle

Today I saw, despite its less than stellar reviews, The Circle starring Emma Watson and Tom Hanks. And...I really liked it! I don't always agree with reviews, but when the critics and viewers say it's no good, I usually stay away, or at least wait for it to come out on DVD. After all, Rotten Tomatoes gives it 16% from critics and only 24% from viewers. That doesn't make it sound great, but having just finished reading the book, I wanted to see it anyway. I'm really glad I did.

I liked the book The Circle, but there were some things I didn't care for, some characters I didn't like, and the ending wasn't what I would have liked to read, but I understand that not every book can go exactly as I would want. The movie The Circle changed some things and normally I would be all up in arms about that, but a lot of what was changed from the book to the movie, I really liked. That's not to say that they didn't chop out parts I thought were important. Of course they did. That is par for the course in adapting a book for the silver screen. They just can't fit everything in to a nearly two hour film. There were a lot of details that the unread viewer will have missed so I absolutely recommend reading the book in conjunction with the film; preferably reading first, watching second.

One of the reasons that I was so willing to take a chance on this film was the cast. I love Emma Watson and Tom Hanks, but that wasn't the end of the star power. Also among the cast were Karen Gillan (who I LOVE!), Bill Paxton, John Boyega, Patton Oswalt, Judy Reyes, and even Beck. That is a pretty compelling group of actors and I thought the were wonderful.

I absolutely see the irony in blogging about this movie, but wanted to be sure to share, after all, "Sharing is Caring!"

If you haven't seen the film yet, here is the trailer to peak your interest. If you have seen it, let me hear what you thought. I'd love to hear it- zing me! 

What I've Seen- An Introduction

"Oh, but the book was so much better!"

How many times have we seen the film adaptation of a beloved book and uttered those exact words? Far too many to count, right? But time after time, we get excited when we see that "they" are making a movie or a mini-series based on our favorite books. We fantasize about which actors will play which characters. We wonder how they will fit in the whole story or what they'll have to cut. Sometimes they do a really good job and sometimes we are  heartbroken with disappointment. For the most part, I try to keep my expectations low and then I'm usually pleasantly surprised, or at least not as dissatisfied.

With this new addition to SmartGirlsRead, I hope to discuss what it is that we like and really don't like about film adaptations. Join me! A dialogue is always much more fun than a monologue.