The formula of transforming books into film has been a staple in the movie industry’s history. I personally have mixed feelings on this subject. I believe that a movie can ruin the integrity of a book. However, some of my favorite movies have been based in books, whether I realized it or not. To Kill a Mockingbird is a case where I loved both the book and a movie. This past summer I realized that most of the premieres were adaptations of books. I think it’s unoriginal and shows perhaps the lack of imagination or talent in Hollywood. I read The Help at the beginning of the summer and have yet to see the movie. While, I’ve heard great reviews it seems to me that if I read a book before I see the movie I am always a little disappointed. Somehow the movie taints the story for me. But, there is a new movie coming out directed by Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot and The Hours). The movie, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, is based on a novel by Jonathan Safran Foer. Foer also wrote Everything is Illuminated which was also made into a movie. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is about a young, odd and gifted boy who lives in New York City with his mother. His father died on September 11, 2001 in the World Trade Center. It follows the journey of Oskar and his search for information about a key his father left behind. I had to this book for my college honors class. I was absolutely enthralled by this book. I would even show up early to places just so I could read it. It was such a complex story filled with little tidbits of information that I truly enjoyed reading every page…..until the last. I was immensely disappointed with the ending of the book- which I believe is one of the worst feelings in the world. Now that it is being made into a movie I actually think that Daldry can do justice to a remarkable story and give it an ending is deserves. Did I mention my favorite actor is in it? Along with Tom Hanks there are a number of other actors I am anxious to see. This might be one of the first movies where I think it can help the written story. Give the trailer a watch.
