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Welcome to another week of thrilling movies and what makes them special. This week's menu is movies adopted from books and here is what I have to share with you all.
Do you think, an idea is better written as a book/novel or acted out as a movie? And which do you prefer? |
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Okay, here's my take on whether an idea is better as a book or a movie.
The thing is when I saw this question, I was thinking about how some stories just feel like they belong on the page, while others practically scream to be on the big screen because my imaginations will fail me.
That is to say that, if an idea is all about the inner world of the characters like their thoughts, feelings, and the way they see the world then I see a book as my winner. This is because books can and will always dive deep into the character's mind, exploring their every nuance which allows the readers to get to know them intimately, like they're our best friend, as the words paint a picture in our own head, and that picture is unique to each reader.
But then again, if the idea is more about action, spectacle, or visual storytelling, I see a movie to stand out. This is because movies can show us things we can only imagine in a book.
For example, think of epic battles, stunning landscapes, or even just the way an actor's face can convey a whole range of emotions. We can't get this all in our imaginations and then movies are a shared experience, too because we get to laugh, cry, and gasp alongside everyone else watching.
Therefore, which do I prefer? Honestly, for me it depends on the story like I have earlier explained. I love the intimacy of a good book as there is always something magical about getting lost in a story and letting my imagination run wild. But then, I also love the excitement and shared experience of a great movie bringing my imagination to reality.
So, for me it is like choosing between a quiet conversation with a friend and a thrilling adventure with a whole group of people of which both are wonderful, just in different ways. I guess the best stories find their perfect home, no matter the format.
Watch any movie adapted from a book or novel |
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For this section, I watched the movie, "The Fault in Our Stars", a movie to which I have also read in a book. I promise, it is an interesting comparison between them after reading the book and seeing the movie.
Courtesy: YouTube
Here comes the breakdown as I compare it to the book:
Here is the basic information about the Movie and Book of "The fault in our Stars".
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| Title | The Fault in Our Stars |
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| Author | John Green |
| Publisher | Dutton Books (an imprint of Penguin) |
| Publication Year | 2012 |
| Genre | Young Adult Fiction, Romance, Tragedy |
| Chapters | 25 Chapters |
| Pages | 313 pages |
| The Characters |
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| Hazel Grace Lancaster | The main character and narrator of the story. She's a teenager with cancer. |
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| Augustus Waters | A charming and witty teenager who falls in love with Hazel. He also has cancer. |
| Isaac | Augustus's best friend, who is dealing with the loss of his eyesight due to cancer. |
| Peter Van Houten | The reclusive author of Hazel and Augustus's favorite book. |
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| Title: | The Fault in Our Stars |
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| Director | Josh Boone |
| Producers | Wyck Godfrey, Marty Bowen |
| Production Company | Temple Hill Entertainment |
| Release Year | 2014 |
| Distributor | 20th Century Fox |
| Runtime | 126 minutes |
| Genre | Romance, Drama |
| The Cast |
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- Shailene Woodley as Hazel Grace Lancaster
- Ansel Elgort as Augustus Waters
- Nat Wolff as Isaac
- Laura Dern as Frannie Lancaster (Hazel's mother)
- Sam Trammell as Michael Lancaster (Hazel's father)
- Willem Dafoe as Peter Van Houten
Imagine making a 25 chapter and 313 pages book into a movie and highlighting every word? it's tedious right? Exactly why it was totally summarized with the key aspect to make the movie and here is the rundown.
| The Introduction (Chapter 1 of the book) |
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The movie begins by introducing Hazel Grace Lancaster, a teenager with cancer, who is reluctantly attending a support group at her parents' insistence. Hazel has a pessimistic outlook on life, stemming from her illness and the fear of causing pain to those she loves. She carries an oxygen tank with her and is focused on managing her health.
| Meeting Augustus (Chapter 2 of the book) |
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At the support group, Hazel meets Augustus Waters, a charming and optimistic young man who is in remission from osteosarcoma (bone cancer). Augustus is immediately drawn to Hazel's intelligence and wit, and they begin to connect over their shared experiences and their perspectives on life and death. Augustus is particularly captivated by Hazel and is determined to win her over.
| Building a Relationship (Chapters 3 - 8 on the book) |
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Augustus and Hazel start spending time together, reading books, and discussing their thoughts and feelings. They develop a deep emotional connection, and their relationship blossoms into romance. They share intimate moments, and their bond deepens as they support each other through their struggles.
| The Wish to Meet the Author (Chapters 4 of the book) |
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Hazel is obsessed with a book called "An Imperial Affliction," written by a reclusive author named Peter Van Houten. The book ends abruptly, leaving Hazel with unanswered questions. Augustus uses his wish (granted by a charity) to help Hazel connect with Van Houten, hoping to get answers about the book's ending. They exchange emails with Van Houten, and he eventually invites them to visit him in Amsterdam.
| Trip to Amsterdam (Chapter 9 - 11 of the book) |
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_1750783028368.png) |
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With the help of their families, Hazel and Augustus travel to Amsterdam to meet Van Houten. They share a romantic and memorable experience in the city. However, their meeting with Van Houten is a disappointment. He is an alcoholic and cynical man who is unable to provide the answers Hazel seeks.
| Augustus's Deterioration (Chapter 12 - 14 of the book) |
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During their trip, Augustus reveals that his cancer has returned and is spreading. His health rapidly declines after they return home.
| Facing the Inevitable (Chapter 15 - 17 of the book) |
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Augustus plans a pre-funeral, inviting Hazel and their friend Isaac to share their memories and say their goodbyes. The scene is emotional, and they express their love and appreciation for each other.
| Augustus's Death (Chapter 18 of the book) |
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Augustus's health continues to worsen, and he eventually passes away. Hazel is heartbroken but finds comfort in the love they shared and the impact Augustus had on her life.
| The Aftermath (Chapter 19 - 25 of the book) |
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Hazel attends Augustus's funeral and later receives a letter from Van Houten, who reveals the true meaning of his book and the impact Augustus had on his life. Hazel comes to terms with her grief and finds a renewed sense of hope and purpose. The movie concludes with Hazel reflecting on her relationship with Augustus and the profound impact he had on her life, emphasizing the importance of living and loving to the fullest, even in the face of mortality.
From the movie you have watched above, what can you say about the strength and weakness of the movie compared to the book/novel but if you have not read the book then tell us what captivated you the most in the movie and if you were to write a book on the movie how would that part be written to captivate the reader? |
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First off, I think the book is amazing because for me, it is like having a secret conversation with Hazel where you're in her head, hearing her thoughts, her jokes, her sadness. This way we understand why she says the things she does, and we get to feel everything she feels. The book lets you as the reader build your own world around the story as you picture the characters, the places, everything, in your own way, making it a very personal experience.
Now, moving onto the movie. Well, it's a whole different ballgame and more like a summary to fit in all the best moments due to time constraints. However, when seeing the movie, you get to see Hazel and Gus come to life in an incredible way, just like having your imaginations visualized.
I must say the actors did such a great job to bring the book to life as some scenes that were just words in the book became these powerful, emotional moments. The movie hence gives you the feeling of the story in a different way with the music and visuals all working together to make you cry, laugh, and feel all those big emotions.
So then, what is the biggest difference? Well, for me, the book lets you go deep into Hazel's thoughts, which is super powerful, whereas the movie on the other hand, is more about the overall story and the visual impact. i.e., you get to see their relationship, their love, and their pain in a way that's more immediate than just imaginations.
Therefore, I can say that the movie adaptation of The Fault in Our Stars stays pretty true to the book, but then here are some noticeable differences:
Minor Character Details:
Some minor characters have slightly altered roles or appearances.
Pacing:
The movie condenses some events for time, changing the pacing so as not to make the movie long and boring.
Internal Monologue:
The book has Hazel's internal thoughts, which are hard to show in the movie, so some of that is lost.
Dialogue:
Some of the dialogue is slightly altered for the screen.
Emotional Impact:
Trust me, the movie is so emotional that a few would shed tears, but then, the book seems to be more impactful because it allows you to get closer to Hazel's thoughts and feelings.
However, I must say the movie is a good adaptation and I wouldn't change anything, but then, the book offers a more in-depth experience. However, If I was the writer of it, I might have explored the aftermath of the loss a bit more deeply. Don't get me wrong, the book beautifully captures the initial grief, but then, I would have been tempted to delve into how Hazel and her family navigate the months and years following Augustus's death. Like how do they find joy again? What new challenges do they face? just to add another layer of realism and emotional resonance to the story.
Anyway, if you want to test that feeling for yourself, then here are the download links for both the movie and book.
| Download the Book PDF | Click here for the PDF |
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| Download the Movie | Click here for the movie |
I want to take this opportunity to invite @bossj23, @ngoenyi and @kouba01.
Thank You for your Time
NOTE: Always have a smile on your face, as you are never fully dressed without one.
Thank you for participating in this challenge of season 25.
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