I finally read the award-winning book that spawned this Sundance Film Festival feature film.
Normally I much prefer the books to the movies, and in this case, the book is phenomenal. It really is. And it blows my mind that this was the author’s very first foray into novel writing.
But I’ve decided I do prefer the movie, mainly because of Kristen Stewart’s performance. But also, Andy is way less predatory (and therefore more chilling), Mr. Freeman is more relatable, and the parents are much more sympathetic. I think I like that better.
Kristen definitely has a lot in common with Emma Watson, though. Just as the book version of Hermione is nowhere near as cute as the movie version, the book version of Melinda Sordino is…well, she’s more tragic looking. I’m kind of glad they opted against the scabbed lips, because seriously, my stomach hurt reading about them in the book.
Anyway, both are outstanding, and I recommend both. If you’re a reader, you may want to pick up the book first, just ’cause it helps to have some of the background that ostensibly couldn’t be fit into the film for fear of having a five-hour finished product.
Also, if you Netflix the movie, listen to the commentary with the director/screenplay writer and the book author. It was really enlightening. I hadn’t realized just how many scenes in the movie are lifted word-for-word from the book.
