For years, Hollywood has looked to the literary world as a resource for the next big blockbuster. Although fans express feelings of trepidation at seeing their favorite books turned into movies, most adaptations have successfully captured the spirit of the work. Unfortunately, there are those that have not survived the transition from print to film, whether it is due to the book being “unfilmable,” a director or screenwriter’s misinterpretation of the source, poor casting choices or drastic changes made to the narrative. This week’s article provides a small collection of books that you’re better off reading than viewing their big-screen adaptations.
Judi Barrett’s “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” is a classic children’s book that recounts the unbelievable events surrounding the town Chewandswallow. A strange atmospheric event causes all types of food (from pizza to ice cream) to fall from the sky, delighting many at first, but soon the torrent of tasty treats forces everyone to abandon their homes. The 2009 film adaptation lacks the “rainy day story” feel of the book, as it removes the kindly old man telling the story to his grandchildren narrative. Instead, the film focuses on an inventor who creates a device that turns water into food, only to have it get out of his control.
