Tuesday Tea: What's your favorite book-to-screen adaptation?
Or do you think the book is always better?
It can be dicey seeing how someone else interprets the fictional characters and events that live inside your head. When they get it wrong, it’s so wrong. But when it’s right, it’s another way to enjoy your favorite stories.
Dave says…
The film version of Goodfellas was based on the book Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi. For me, the movie improved on the book in almost every way. More character, more tension, a better-told story.
Also, I think it’s amazing that the movie Mean Girls was based on a non-fiction self-help book called Queen Bees and Wannabes by Rosalind Wiseman. That’s just Tina Fey showing off there.
Mel says…
I have three go-to shows when I need comfort viewing:
the BBC adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre from 2006, starring Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens — that’s them at the top of this post
Good Omens (#DTandSheenie4ever)
the Wolf Hall mini-series based on the books by Hilary Mantel
For pure fun, I will watch Pitch Perfect from any spot in the movie, and when I get to the end, happily start it over again at the beginning. It’s based on a nonfiction book called Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate A Cappella Glory by Mickey Rapki.
I love, love A Room with a View. Denholm Elliott as Mr. Emerson is one of my favorite characters ever with his line as he points to his heart, “Here is where the birds sing. Here is where the sky is blue. My view is from within.”
And of course Judi Dench and Maggie Smith are perfect foils. I just love that movie.
Not exactly a literary choice but The Lord of the Rings. It was so brilliantly realized and is something I can watch again and again.