By Qaima Chatha
“The book was better.” It’s the phrase that haunts every screenwriter, director, and producer. And the readers who pause the movie every five minutes to whisper, “That’s not how it happened.”
In an age of streaming wars and endless reboots (ahem, Harry Potter), book adaptations are everywhere. So in a world where every bestseller seems destined for the big screen, it’s worth asking: what makes an adaptation truly great?
It seems there’s consensus on one thing: the true heart of the characters must be intact and storyline intent clear. The characters are what make a book enjoyable. They drive the plot and help us connect with the narrative emotionally. We form relationships with them and hence care about what happens to them – this is when the storyline comes into play.
Changing the timeline, genre, defining characteristics of the characters and different plotlines for a ‘flashy’ story distances an adaptation completely from the book which turns off many avid fans.
Casting is also a challenge for those transforming our books into a cinematic experience.
When the casting aligns with the book’s interpretation of the characters magic happens.
Watching the movie can literally feel like living through the book!
That’s not to say that bold reinterpretations can’t work; think Bridgerton’s inclusive casting. Now that is casting done right!
In theory, the emotional truth counts more than physical resemblance and really sets the stage for a great adaptation. One could argue that a book is a physical script for a movie, so why do some fail so badly?
The truth is that the best adaptations make you feel the same ride of emotions you felt when reading the book for the first time, even if the details are changed. Liberties can and should be taken to capture the essence of the book, hence why the best adaptations are likely to be produced closely with the authors.
Little Women (2019) is one such example of a beautiful adaptation. The timeline was reconstructed, however this was made up for by the breathtaking ambiance in the scenes and deepened emotional impact. Because a great adaptation doesn’t just retell a story, it reminds us why we loved it in the first place.
So, it’s not just about sticking to the plot or casting the perfect brooding lead, but capturing the true soul of the story even if that means rearranging the chapters, rewriting timelines or giving Mr. Darcy a leather jacket.
If an adaptation can make me cry in the same place I cried while reading, gasp at a twist I already knew, or fall in love with a character all over again… then it’s done its job.
