by Cornelia Suffolk
Because even if they are worse than the book itself, readers still want their favourite heroes to be alive, even for two hours. However, there are books that especially stood out against their movie adaptations. Some of them we’ll review in this article, but only those whose film adaptations date no more than 10 years back.
Our opinion will be based on the overall rating the movie has received and on watchers’ reviews. It’s really amazing how helpful those quick notes can be when it comes to different situations. For example, you can choose the movie to watch, find the best place to rent a flat, or if you are a student and you need help with your academic papers you can choose the best paper writing service to get help from professional paper writers .
Water for Elephants, 2011
Water for Elephants is a historical novel written by Sara Gruen. It was welcomed by the public and received huge attention. This film adaptation came out in 2011, starring Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon. Despite such a duet, the film was far from being a success. The story of a veterinary student and a glorious circus performer was turned alive; however, it wasn’t enough to spark the watchers’ hearts.
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, 2016
Ransom Riggs’ novel was really something unique. Back then, such fantasy and mystery were very well received by the public. The story is about a boy who follows clues from his granddad’s photos that lead him into an adventure, and it needed to get a film adaptation.
It came out in 2016. However, it wasn’t equal to a novel that already was recognised as a New York Times bestseller. Despite being directed by Tim Burton, the story on the screen didn’t match with the one in readers’ heads at all.
The Great Gatsby, 2013
A favourite book of many – Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby – received a new life in 2013, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as the main character. This, obviously, sparked an interest in people loving this book dearly.
However, the movie survived lots of criticism. It’s hard to find anyone who’d be pleased with the film. Every actor from the cast, decorations, costumes, and other prep was criticised for the crew’s inability to ‘feel’ the book. Nevertheless, this new Gatsby film was not such a disaster when it comes to the box office records.
The Girl on the Train, 2016
Rachel Watson’s novel has been a huge success because no one has ever presented a detective story from such an angle. It was obvious that the film adaptation would come out soon after.
However, the book turned out to be way more exciting than the movie. For some reason, the film has failed to intrigue watchers. The book, however, did that from the very first page.
Gone Girl, 2014
A novel of the same title published in 2012 by Gillian Flynn was definitely received better than its film adaptation. It’s not that the movie was a total disaster. Yet, for those who read the book first, the difference was striking.
The film was a success according to critics and box office sales. However, it was heavily criticised by people who pictured the main heroes in an absolutely different way. Moreover, some fans were even provided proof that the cast was a totally bad choice.
Pitch Perfect, 2012
A Universal Pictures musical comedy inspired by a non-fiction book by Mickey Rapkin also failed the expectations of readers. Even though the film was not that bad, and the cast did its best to translate the atmosphere, it still felt like something was missing there.
The jokes made in the book and the ones from the movie turned out to be entirely different. Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson, however, exceeded all expectations to make the film a success.
A Wrinkle in Time, 2018
The movie version of a fantasy novel by Madeleine L’Engle came out in 2018 and got the public bewildered. A great novel somehow ended up with plot holes, which is absolutely unforgivable. Those who didn’t read the book couldn’t even get the main idea.
Despite the fact that the cast included such names as Reese Witherspoon, Oprah Winfrey, and others, neither the goal nor the means of the heroes’ actions were understood. Moreover, heavy use of CGI has made this movie even more complex.
Final Words
Unfortunately, a great novel does not promise a great movie. When we read a book, we all imagine characters and events in our own way. Because of that, directors and scriptwriters often fail to live up to expectations, let alone actors and their acting.
At the same time, even if the film is not so good after you’ve tasted the book, it’s still good to watch your favourite heroes come to life. That’s why almost all film adaptations sell well.
