The Novel vs. the Film: The Inevitable Struggle for Quality in the Midst of Sensationalism
Recently I read the highly acclaimed novel-turned-film, the Devil Wears Prada. Having read the book in its entirety I’m not sure the contents of the novel lived up to the hype, but I digress. Last week, my friend Melissa and I went to see the film. Now of course there’s always the inevitable comparison when one has read a novel to compare its contents to that translated to the big screen, but the changes in this film seemed so blatantly Hollywood-esque and sensationalistic that I could not help myself but comment on it in my small corner or the Internet b
logging universe.
Recently I read the highly acclaimed novel-turned-film, the Devil Wears Prada. Having read the book in its entirety I’m not sure the contents of the novel lived up to the hype, but I digress. Last week, my friend Melissa and I went to see the film. Now of course there’s always the inevitable comparison when one has read a novel to compare its contents to that translated to the big screen, but the changes in this film seemed so blatantly Hollywood-esque and sensationalistic that I could not help myself but comment on it in my small corner or the Internet b
logging universe.A brief synopsis of the story line: A recent university graduate names Andrea takes a job as one of two assistants to one of the most powerful editors of a fashion magazine by the name of Runway. This girl is somewhat homely and rather uneducated in the lifestyle and general ins and outs of fashion. The story revolves around the incessant impossible demands put forth literally night and day by this crazy bitch of a woman and consequently how it deteriorates Andrea’s relationships with her friends, family and boyfriend. Why does she keep the job you ask? Apparently after a year of working for this woman she can get Andrea a job anywhere she wants; in this case Andrea is pursuing the goal of journalist for the New Yorker.
Note: if you do not want to know the end of the movie and/or book please stop reading now.
The novel while found to be somewhat boring in parts, strives to present a realistic view of relationships. However, the movie predictably strives for the “happily ever after” ending. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
My first problem was found at the beginning of the movie when Andrea goes into the office at Runway and presents her boss (Miranda) with a resume for the job. In the novel, this and a small interview is enough to her the job. But in the film, Andrea of course presents one of those heart felt monologues about how hardworking, dedicated and generally how awesome of a person she is that is supposed to make you want to apparently cross your fingers the girl will get the job, which of course she does in both media forms.
While coming to live in the “fashion world” Andrea somehow stumbles upon a “smart hot writer” by the name of Christian, who of which incidentally, is not her boyfriend. In the novel they share a few flirtations and kisses (post break-up with aforementioned boyfriend). In reality, not such a big deal. In the movie Andrea gets drunk with Hot Writer and in her stupor (with of course her guard down because no one can just have sex without the seemingly growing trend of being under the influence of something in movies) they end up sleeping together. The next morning she discovers her dreamboat is in fact in partner with a competing magazine editor in France who are planning to overthrow Andrea’s bitch-ass boss. So of course she has to have regret and guilt post-intercourse, because generally when people have sex in movies it ends up being with extreme regret or on the verge of some sort of life altering news. Please note: NONE of this happens in the book. Why there always has to be some sort of bad guy in movies is beyond me. Moving on…
Towards the end of her one year mark, Andrea loses her shit on her boss and gets fired. She alas, does not achieve her sought after spot at the New Yorker. In the novel and in real life (as this book is based on true events) Andrea has to stick it out on her own and find her unemployed ass a job but miracle of miracles! In the movie, when you treat your boss like crap they still magically seem to step over the angry perhaps spiteful part of themselves and gives her an incredible reference. In a story that makes only one thing clear: this woman is supposed to be the most gigantic bitch on earth. If that is so, why would she magically have a change of heart? Not likely.
Last but not least, after a three year relationship (in the novel) Andrea grows to realize that she has unfortunately grown apart from her boyfriend and they decide to part ways, which has certainly been known to happen in real life. However, once again the ugly face of Hollywood rears its ugly head and the movie version of the couple (despite the fact she slept with someone else mind you!) stay together. I’m interested in the reason that Hollywood always seems to seek out the happily ever ending. Perhaps if more films existed where people didn’t stay together the sixteen year old tweens of future generations would be able to cope more easily with the harsh realization that their lives are not always going to end up with some guy wanting desperately to be with them forever. Call me bitter or crazy if you must (I’ve been called worse), but I believe there should be more room made for reality in movies, especially if the original work warranted such an ending.
Note: if you do not want to know the end of the movie and/or book please stop reading now.
The novel while found to be somewhat boring in parts, strives to present a realistic view of relationships. However, the movie predictably strives for the “happily ever after” ending. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
My first problem was found at the beginning of the movie when Andrea goes into the office at Runway and presents her boss (Miranda) with a resume for the job. In the novel, this and a small interview is enough to her the job. But in the film, Andrea of course presents one of those heart felt monologues about how hardworking, dedicated and generally how awesome of a person she is that is supposed to make you want to apparently cross your fingers the girl will get the job, which of course she does in both media forms.
While coming to live in the “fashion world” Andrea somehow stumbles upon a “smart hot writer” by the name of Christian, who of which incidentally, is not her boyfriend. In the novel they share a few flirtations and kisses (post break-up with aforementioned boyfriend). In reality, not such a big deal. In the movie Andrea gets drunk with Hot Writer and in her stupor (with of course her guard down because no one can just have sex without the seemingly growing trend of being under the influence of something in movies) they end up sleeping together. The next morning she discovers her dreamboat is in fact in partner with a competing magazine editor in France who are planning to overthrow Andrea’s bitch-ass boss. So of course she has to have regret and guilt post-intercourse, because generally when people have sex in movies it ends up being with extreme regret or on the verge of some sort of life altering news. Please note: NONE of this happens in the book. Why there always has to be some sort of bad guy in movies is beyond me. Moving on…
Towards the end of her one year mark, Andrea loses her shit on her boss and gets fired. She alas, does not achieve her sought after spot at the New Yorker. In the novel and in real life (as this book is based on true events) Andrea has to stick it out on her own and find her unemployed ass a job but miracle of miracles! In the movie, when you treat your boss like crap they still magically seem to step over the angry perhaps spiteful part of themselves and gives her an incredible reference. In a story that makes only one thing clear: this woman is supposed to be the most gigantic bitch on earth. If that is so, why would she magically have a change of heart? Not likely.
Last but not least, after a three year relationship (in the novel) Andrea grows to realize that she has unfortunately grown apart from her boyfriend and they decide to part ways, which has certainly been known to happen in real life. However, once again the ugly face of Hollywood rears its ugly head and the movie version of the couple (despite the fact she slept with someone else mind you!) stay together. I’m interested in the reason that Hollywood always seems to seek out the happily ever ending. Perhaps if more films existed where people didn’t stay together the sixteen year old tweens of future generations would be able to cope more easily with the harsh realization that their lives are not always going to end up with some guy wanting desperately to be with them forever. Call me bitter or crazy if you must (I’ve been called worse), but I believe there should be more room made for reality in movies, especially if the original work warranted such an ending.
No comments:
Post a Comment