There is almost universal agreement among readers that the book is always superior to the movie. Yet Hollywood continues to make adaptations and people continue to watch them, even though they can often leave one feeling as if they have just witnessed the death of a cherished friend.
However, despite their many failures (and they are legion), every now and then a filmmaker creates a fitting homage that stays true to the book’s soul and brings its essence to life.
Ian Richards, Senior Community Library Manager at Pinole, recommends Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secret. Of all the Potter movies, these two best follow the overall storylines from the books (though to be fair, they are also the two shortest books in the series, making this a far easier task). J.K. Rowling’s world comes to life in all its magical glory, and just like the books, you don’t want to leave it. These two films also feature the late Richard Harris, who, in my opinion, will forever be the one true Dumbledore.
Mary has an affinity for music, so she recommends Atonement and Ang Lee’s version of Sense and Sensibility for their wonderful accompanying scores. Alison McKee, Senior Community Library Manager at Hercules, tells us to check out The Diving Bell and Butterfly, where the film really brings you the sense of being trapped that the protagonist feels.
Ric has a fondness for Steinbeck’s work and finds the film versions of both The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men expanding on the original. Henry Fonda’s Tom Joad is one of the most enduring characters in American cinema.
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Marcia is particular to Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. This excellent adaption of the Pulitzer Prize winning novel has all of the elements of a classic Western: cattle drives, gunfights, brawls, strong silent men and strong-minded women. But you'll need more than one bucket of popcorn to view the full six hours. Gia recommends A Room with a View. She loves Merchant & Ivory films for the richly detailed setting and the superb actors.