Book into Movie

This summer, I joined my library's Summer Reading Program for adults. One of the books on my list to read was The Day After Tomorrow.

It never crossed my mind to read the BOOK after seeing the movie five times .... and counting.

Many thoughts on the subject of movies made from books abound. Most I've viewed seem to be in the negative; that the movies never seem to capture the brilliance of a well written story, that it doesn't translate well to the screen and it insults the vision of the author . I've read statements that, on principle alone, they refuse to see the movie made version less they experience extreme disappointment, rage, disgust or disillusionment. Basically, they won't ever give the theater version a fighting chance.

I approached reading the book with tentative steps, even going so far as to wait until my three weeks of borrow time was almost up. I ended up reading it in two days.

I have no clue as to whether my experience is unusual or typical for this book, but I LOVED it!
Truly, my heart was pounding even though I knew what was coming.

There were, obviously, many differences between the two, but not in concept, interpretation and most of all, the delivery.

SPOILER ALERT!

In reading the book I now better understand how the wolves escaped.
That I found the written version of Sam's encounter with the wolves more blood-chilling than the movie. The movie only had to rely on the visuals ( M.E. - remember what I said about canine fangs?) which was enough for me, LOL.
That from reading the book I felt more empathy for the cop who led the people from the library.
I was drawn more completely into the familial love that existed in the book, whereas I was a tad confused as to where they all stood in relation to each other in the film.
The only element that was clear in both the book and movie was a father's love for his son and the son loving his dad.
Very powerful that.

Also the transformation in the personality of the Vice President - the book made a more powerful statement in how circumstances make a man a man.
Remember the adage, Adversity will show whether a man IS a man or a mouse - OK, I'm paraphrasing the cliche, but it works here and you get to see it put into action during the story.

So many internal emotions were thoughtfully woven in the book that simply cannot transfer onto the big screen. I admit that.

My only negative observation (and it was a glaring gaffe) - the movie forgot to let Sam/Jake grow face fuzz. At the end when his dad comes to the rescue, Sam is still as freshly shaved and smooth faced as if he had just stepped out of a grunge spa. There should have been three days worth of fur. Somebody was probably too goo-goo eyed by Jake to notice the omission.

All in all, I was impressed with how closely the movie followed the book. The changes the director made worked for the film version making reading and viewing two different experiences - both enjoyable.

I recommend both.

Sure, the movie has been out for quite some time and I am probably being repetitive to some readers - but the reason for this post is to state that sometimes, a book CAN be successfully translated to a movie and I believe The Day After Tomorrow is proof of that.

Do you want to share a sucessful book to movie experience with me today??