There are few things I love more than watching a favorite book jump off the pages and onto the big screen. Seeing a perfectly casted actor breathe life into a novel’s leading character can be like seeing the ocean for the first time. We’re excited that BookSparksPR client Allison Winn Scotch (who is busy promoting her new book The One That I Want) is having her bestseller Time of My Life adapted into a movie soon. We’ll keep you posted on the latest, including which actors come onboard for the lead roles of Henry and Jack. We also love that Emily Giffin is keeping fans updated on her book, Something Borrowed, being made into a movie starring Kate Hudson.
All this book-to-movie talk got me thinking about what I think the best (and worst) movies based on books are so here’s my must list for books made into movies.
The Best
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks… Is there really any need for explanation? The book and the movie can make me cry every time and they both make me question “Why can’t I have that?” anytime a relationship is in the toilet. Two telling signs of a great love story.
Atonement by Ian McEwan – I have a sort of backwards feeling about this combo. Usually a book can give so much more than a movie, but in this case the theatrical visuals are so breathtaking I am not sure anyone can put into words what Hollywood did with a camera.
Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen – This is one of my favorites in both categories… life in a mental hospital from the perspective of a patient; you can’t make this stuff up. And she didn’t, the true story element just makes this double treat a little tastier.
The Worst
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare – The attempt to blend modern day themes with Shakespearean vernacular sounds uber-creative, but just comes off weird and corny most of the time. Apparently, not everything Leo Dicaprio touches turns to gold.
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown – I admit I was as hooked into the book as the next person, but it would have taken a holy miracle to keep me awake through that movie.
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne – Am I truly supposed to believe that a woman who starred in Striptease is capable of pulling off the role of Hester Prynne gracefully? Love you Demi…but you’re no Puritan.
More to love (or hate)!
Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane – This thriller just came out on DVD and although I went straight for the movie and skipped the book, but I could definitely see myself going back and reading it.
Dear John by Nicholas Sparks – This movie just hit stores and bottom line I’m never disappointed with his books or movies. Sparks had me at A Walk to Remember and I’ve never looked back.
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen – This book is not only at the top of my reading list it is also in the early production stages. Add to the fact that it stars everyone’s favorite dirty-pretty boy Rob Pattinson and my all time favorite actress Reese Witherspoon… I see a midnight showing in my future!!
What are your favorite movies based on books?