MovieChat Forums > Simon Birch (1998) Discussion > To all those who love the book but bash ...

To all those who love the book but bash the movie...

posted 15 years ago by wht-fang
6 replies | jump to latest

The movie was purposly done in a manner that wasn't 100% accurate to the book, which I'm wondering how the hell you never expected seeing that movies are never made 100% acurate to the original source.

The directors took all of the key elements of the book and re-did them, along with the rest of the story, in a manner that was more family friendly. I personally don't see anything wrong with the addaption, as it still remained true in the basics of what happened. I actually like that the story was changed a bit, that way you see a different version of it rather than the same thing.

And as some other points:

" John Irving praised the screening of Simon Birch but ensured the title change (from A Prayer for Owen Meany to Simon Birch) because it did not directly follow the novel.

Source: http://edition.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/News/9809/03/showbuzz/#story3 "

And:

" Author John Irving doubted his novel, "A Prayer for Owen Meany", could ever be turned into a film, and sold the screen rights on the condition it not be released under the same name as his book. "

If the guy that made the book liked its adaption, why can't you?

Can't we all just get along?

[–] Ithilfaen 15 years ago

The problem is not the movie is not 100% accurate, it's that it's about 0.10% accurate. They only kept a vague sob story with an abnormal kid who ends up saving the day. If you read the book and don't feel like throwing up iafter watching the movie, you missed everything that made the book extraordinary. And for the record, I am not a religious person.

For every lie I unlearn I learn something new - Ani Difranco

[–] ajlser-1 14 years ago

That Irving liked this adaptation is absolutely false. Have you read Saving Piggy Sneed? He started writing screenplays for his films (like The Cider House Rules) BECAUSE he was NOT happy with this film adaptation of his best novel. Simon Birch is hackneyed and cloying, and has nothing to do with the elements that make the novel great.

[–] thomasyeung 14 years ago

To be honest, as someone who loved the book and thinks this movie, as an adaptation of said book, is a disgrace, the movie in itself is not that bad.

If it was a completely original screenplay I would think more positively of it, as a pleasant but forgettable little film.

*****

"Mark Wahlberg is wearing a hat."

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Cinnyaste 14 years ago

"If the guy that made the book liked its adaption, why can't you?"

Because we're not all you. Or John Irving. Seems quite plain, but people are individuals with their own sensibilities, likes and dislikes.

So, why can't you accept that instead of attempting to foist your point of view on others? Mazeltov, you liked it. I was left in the cold as the novel is far richer. It happens in adaptations. Besides, comparing the two mediums - written word and film - is an exercise in futility.

Chill.

[–] greenbanzanas 13 years ago

I only agree to the extent that the movie admitted in its credits that it is only Suggested By the book. Notwithstanding that fact, I have to believe that the ending will differ from the book to the extent that I don't recall Owen dying at age 12 and I think he dies in Vietnam saving a bunch of children, so I can't imagine who he will end up saving in the movie.