MovieChat Forums > Safe Haven (2013) Discussion > Why oh god why do they ruin good books l...

Why oh god why do they ruin good books like this?!

posted 8 years ago by roraio
4 replies | jump to latest

I'm a huge Nicholas Sparks fan, but I believe his last decent film adaptation was probably 'The Notebook' or 'Nights in Rodanthe'. All the films after that did NOT do justice to the books! I had just finished reading 'Safe Haven' today and was super excited to see this movie (for the sake of Josh Duhamel as Alex, of course), but I almost abandoned watching it after only 10 minutes because of how terrible, forced and cringe-worthy it was! Not only did they change what happens in the book, but they did it so badly that the film doesn't flow naturally and some parts don't make sense. They changed some of the character's names and roles, they reversed the characters' personalities, and they rushed the action to the point where everything becomes tired clichés. Whereas the novel reveals everything so gently and naturally it gives pleasure in following the story! For example, Katie in the book is by no means as happy-go-lucky, easy-to-talk-to as she is portrayed in the film, Alex isn't mad at all when he finds out about Katie's past, the kids aren't complete opposites in personality like the film depicts, and the romance isn't so rushed into the action. The novel isn't that long, and the film was fairly long, so I'm sure they could've managed to portray the story more accurately and respect the given length limitations.

[–] roses888 8 years ago

I never read the book, but I was wondering if they had the "ghost" of Alex's wife in the book? That part of the movie ruined it for me! That Katie was talking to a ghost the whole time! Ridiculous!

[–] roraio 8 years ago

Unfortunately, yes, the same plot twist is found in the book, which kinda bothered me as well as it made the novel not feel like a Nicholas Sparks one, but rather as a Nora Roberts drama-romance-thriller book. However, I think the plot twist doesn't affect the quality of the book like it ruined the film; I'd say it even improves the novel! The book was really good, trust me, I recommend it (you might find the pdf if you google it).

[–] Ash-lee 8 years ago

I actually bought the book after seeing the movie because it was an extremely rare Nicholas Sparks movie that I really enjoyed. I could barely get through the book. Overly schmaltzy, flowery writing, with no real grasp of how actual couples interact and talk to each other. You compared it to Nora Roberts, but as someone who's read Nora Roberts (and her pseudonym JD Robb) there is no comparison. Roberts knows how to weave a story and tell it with a believable voice. She doesn't layer on romantic prose just to fluff a book by several more chapters and she doesn't tell a watered down version of three different stereotypes in her books (for good examples of her writing and the variety she has, read The Witness, the Cousins O'Dwyer trilogy, or Naked in Death under the JD Robb name).

I'll probably try more Sparks movies in the future because every once in a blue moon I like one of them, but I'm 0 for 2 with his books and will never risk spending money on another one. I remember, years ago, after reading one of his and thinking he has to be the most overrated author on the market. Fast forward at least 10 years and that hasn't changed.

[–] stephaniehoskins 7 years ago

Well i read the book first and yes ill admit the film was not a detailed and imploring as the novel but what film is. If you tried to incorporate everything your film would be hours and hours long. I wouldn't say katie was "happy-go-lucky" she was talkative to the little girl yes, but seemed to pull back and be more reserved and cautious around Alex. And for Alex being angry at first i feel the film was trying to be realistic in that sense. Of course anyone would initially feel anger that they were lied to. But he quickly pushed thru the emotion and just wanted her there and safe. I loved all the actors and felt they made the story come to life as best as possible.