Adaptations where the FILM is better than the book?

[CitizenSnips]

I dunno - they managed to make it work for American Psycho, and I can't decide which book was more shocking. But then again the highly-stylized scenes of terrorism might not go down so well in the US.

I just checked on imdb and it's listed as 'in development'... can't see any recent press for it though. Ellis has The Canyons coming out soon... it doesn't look good.

[Kiba.]

True, but remember some of the most controversial scenes in Psycho weren't done.
I guess they should be able to show enough if they want to, when I think about how much they show in a Saw movie. But like you say, the tone of the violence and its connection with terrorism would make it a tough sell for backing.

[ebrown]

Fight Club. the book is great but what Fincher made with the movie is beyond belief.

[CitizenSnips]

Originally Posted by Kiba.

I guess they should be able to show enough if they want to, when I think about how much they show in a Saw movie. But like you say, the tone of the violence and its connection with terrorism would make it a tough sell for backing.

I guess it's budget concerns as well - Saw can have all the gore it wants cause the studios know it'll sell, whereas Glamorama could go either way.

[Filmigos]

Life of Pi. Seriously, After reading it, I never thought anyone could make a movie out of it.

I thought the 2nd Dragon Tattoo book was better as a film than the book.

[rickyroma316]

I think it's a bit of a myth that few adaptation are as good as the book. These few are just off the top of my head but I'm sure I could think of a lot more:

The Assassination of Jesse James - Decent book but a much better movie
The Last of the Mohicans - The book might possibly be one of the worst I've ever read
Lord of the Rings - It's so nice not to have to wade through Tolkien's prose
American Psycho - I'm in agreement with other people here that the film is an improvement
The Shining - The book is pretty horrible. All the stuff with the topiary was horribly done
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer - The book was pretty good but it was a little bit workmanlike - the story was tight but the words never really flew off the page. But the film added a whole layer of poetry and intensity and doom that the book was lacking.

[CaptainCrazy]

I can't believe no-one mentioned The Princess Bride. Absolutely cack book but what a brilliant film. "My name is..."

[IsotopeBill]

Princess Bride, yes yes yes. Well said sir.

[Ginjesus]

Silver Linings Playbook. The book was good. But not near the same level of them film. Tiffany's character is far more likable in the film adaptation. Also there were bits added into the film that were some of the highlights of the film for me that were absent from the book. The language is also very simplistic. Not that that's a criticism but it could have been written better. It's an enjoyable read but the film is better for me.