“The book is always better than the movie.”
I’m sure you’ve heard someone say that at one point or another, but I beg to disagree.
Yes, most of the time, the book is better, but not always.
Here are 6 movies which I thought were better than the books they were based on.
(1) THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
Synopsis
Andy (Anne Hathaway) is a recent college graduate with big dreams. Upon landing a job at prestigious Runway magazine, she finds herself the assistant to diabolical editor Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep). Andy questions her ability to survive her grim tour as Miranda’s whipping girl without getting scorched.
This movie is one of my all time favourite feel-good films. It has a dash of humour, fashion, and romance, with a sprinkling of moral lesson about not trading your soul to the devil for your career.
I liked it a lot more than the book because it was more witty and concise, and because it has Meryl Streep in it. Anything is better if it has Meryl Streep in it.
According to Rotten Tomatoes, the critics agree with me, and I quote:
Critics consensus: a rare film that surpasses the quality of its source novel, this Devil is a witty exposé of New York’s fashion scene, with Meryl Streep in top form and Anne Hathaway more than holding her own.
Movie rating: IMDB 6.8 | Book rating: Good Reads 3.64
(2) P.S. I LOVE YOU
Synopsis
When Gerry (Gerard Butler), the husband of Holly Kennedy (Hilary Swank), dies from an illness, she loses the love of her life. Knowing how hard Holly will take his death, Gerry plans ahead. Beginning on her 30th birthday, she receives the first in a series of letters written by him, designed to ease her grief and encourage her to move forward to a new life.
Verdict
I’m sure a lot of people won’t agree with me, but I found the movie to be better than the book, perhaps because I saw it first, or because it was, like the above, funnier and more concise than the book, and also had that really great soundtrack, Love You Till the End.
Or maybe it’s Gerard Butler. Why, of course it is, love.
Movie rating: IMDB 7 | Book rating: Good Reads 3.98
(3) STARDUST
Synopsis
To win the heart of his beloved (Sienna Miller), a young man named Tristan (Charlie Cox) ventures into the realm of fairies to retrieve a fallen star. What Tristan finds, however, is not a chunk of space rock, but a woman (Claire Danes) named Yvaine. Yvaine is in great danger, for the king’s sons need her powers to secure the throne, and an evil witch (Michelle Pfeiffer) wants to use her to achieve eternal youth and beauty.
Verdict
Unlike the first two, this movie did not get scenes edited out, but rather, had a lot put in, like more scenes with the witch, who was hardly mentioned in the book, because she was played by the famous actress Michelle Pfeifer. They also made up a completely new character, Captain Shakespeare, played by Robert DeNiro. He was the most hilarious person in the movie, and the book without him in it seemed a lot more boring in comparison.
So the movie was therefore a lot different from the book. It had more action and comedy, and it is one of my favourite rom coms. Meanwhile, the book, which is not bad, is definitely not a favourite of mine, though.
Movie rating: IMDB 7.7 | Book rating: Good Reads 4.04
(4) CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
Synopsis
Frank Abagnale, Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio) worked as a doctor, a lawyer, and as a co-pilot for a major airline — all before his 18th birthday. A master of deception, he was also a brilliant forger, whose skill gave him his first real claim to fame: At the age of 17, Frank Abagnale, Jr. became the most successful bank robber in the history of the U.S. FBI Agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks) makes it his prime mission to capture Frank and bring him to justice, but Frank is always one step ahead of him.
Verdict
The book was certainly an interesting, informative read, but it just could not compete with the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks, sorry. It just felt more exciting onscreen than on paper.
Movie rating: IMDB 8 | Book rating: Good Reads 4
(5) THE SOCIAL NETWORK
Synopsis
In 2003, Harvard undergrad and computer genius Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) begins work on a new concept that eventually turns into the global social network known as Facebook. Six years later, he is one of the youngest billionaires ever, but Zuckerberg finds that his unprecedented success leads to both personal and legal complications when he ends up on the receiving end of two lawsuits, one involving his former friend (Andrew Garfield). Based on the book “The Accidental Billionaires.”
Verdict
I loved the way the book was written. It flowed easily, and made for excellent beach reading.
However the movie was way better. It even won an an Oscar for best adapted screenplay and had 2 other wins plus 5 other nominations.
I really loved the script, all the witty lines (most of which I wrote in detail in my review of the film).
Also, Jesse Eisenberg nailed it. I love him – err – I mean, this film!
Movie rating: IMDB 7.8 | Book rating: Good Reads 3.46
(6) FIGHT CLUB
Synopsis
A depressed man (Edward Norton) suffering from insomnia meets a strange soap salesman named Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) and soon finds himself living in his squalid house after his perfect apartment is destroyed. The two bored men form an underground club with strict rules and fight other men who are fed up with their mundane lives. Their perfect partnership frays when Marla (Helena Bonham Carter), a fellow support group crasher, attracts Tyler’s attention.
Verdict
Let’s not pretend that we don’t know why the movie was better. Brad Pitt, duh.
Just kidding. (Or am I?)
Just like the other movies in this list, it was more cohesive and exciting than the book, it had more of an impact. I really loved this film.
I’m not the only one who thinks so, because the book’s author Chuck Palahniuk himself preferred the film over the book. He loved how the movie streamlined the book’s scattered plot into something more effective, and made connections he never thought to make, to the point that he felt embarrassed of the book. Apparently the more romantic angle was also one he favoured, one he actually had intended to take when he first wrote the book, before it kind of got away from him.
Movie rating: IMDB 8.9 | Book rating: Good Reads 4.19
Do you have anything to add to the list?P.S. Speaking of Meryl Streep, this scene from Modern Family is on point.
agree with all of these bar PS I love you, the film ruined the book in my opinion!
I knew a lot of people would not agree with me. 😛
I definitely agree on The Devil Wears Prada. I haven’t read the others but I guess I’ll just see the movies I have not seen. Loved Catch Me if You Can!
Glad to know you agree. 🙂
agree with all of these bar PS I love you, the film ruined the book in my opinion!
I knew a lot of people would not agree with me. 😛
I definitely agree on The Devil Wears Prada. I haven’t read the others but I guess I’ll just see the movies I have not seen. Loved Catch Me if You Can!
Glad to know you agree. 🙂