Books vs Movies

Author's Note: This is an essay on the difference between books, and their respective movies, or screenings. This is also my DWA.

Books vs Movies

Typically if I go to see a movie based on a book, I have an image in my head about how everything will look. Although, often times when I go the movie based on a book it doesn’t turn out very well. Producers and directors often try to do too much when making the movie, rather than sticking specifically to the book’s storyline. When making a movie, the producer should try to consult with the author of the book.

There were many things wrong with this film "A Clean Well-Lighted Place"; the first and most obvious was when the movie showed the old man. He was sitting in a bright indoor café, in the story it says he is sitting outside of the lighted cafe and in the shadow of some leaves. This is a very important part of the story because it is a symbol that gives the story great meaning. The symbol of the old man sitting in a shadow shows that he is in the latter years of his life, and he is in the darkness.

Another thing wrong with the screening was the language. Towards the end of the movie after the older waiter walked to the bar he starts saying certain things in English. At one point in the book he keeps saying nada, nada, nada nada, nada, etc. But in the movie you hear nothing, nothing nothing, nothing, nothing nothing. In addition, during this scene in the movie the older waiter asks for a small or little cup. In the book he asks for the cup in Spanish saying copita. The whole thing takes away the foreign aspect out of the story and makes that final scene feel very creepy.

The final thing that stood out to me that I thought was wrong, was the fact that the café was a modern looking restaurant rather than a 1930’s or 1940’s café. The café should’ve been more rundown and old rather than a modern sparkling café. Although it was correct in having good lighting the café was a little too clean for the 30’s.

The Producer of this screening didn’t do the best job transforming the story into a movie. He did the most important part of the story wrong, the old man sitting in the café rather than outside, and that hurt the authenticity of this movie.