MovieChat Forums > Salem Falls (2011) Discussion > I did not like this movie at all

I did not like this movie at all

posted 12 years ago by oephellia
4 replies | jump to latest

Not enough character development in the movie. Ms. Picoult should have insisted the movie be two, 90-minute segments, not one. Lifetime has done this before with books. They could have done this with this one.

If I'd written the book, I would not have liked to see it watered down as much. I see it as a sell out just to get the movie made. Sorry :( And I like her books.

Watching it was like watching a brief synopsis...I can't even compare it to a Cliff Note. The plot, the character development, even the premise was just not there.

And like all Lifetime Movies, it just ended. Too much time is always spent on leading up to the climax with not enough time to any of their endings.

O

[–] judithsr 12 years ago

I agree. The multiple plot changes bothered me a lot, though I think what really got to me was the lack of subtlety of the story that the book had. Having the characters make blatant comments like oh her mom is gone so she is one of those entitled kids because her dad is wealthy, or whatever that line was. Or the whole push for Jillian to have Jack's character fall in love with her, and the frequent discussion of it throughout the movie, since that wasn't even completely what she was hoping for I don't think.
I don't know, I guess Lifetime isn't known for quality cinema.

[–] franbee57 12 years ago

Agreed! I thought it was a very poorly done version of the story. I read all JP books and never has one been as bad as this movie!

[–] omgjayde 12 years ago

When an author sells the movie rights to a piece of writing, they sever all rights to how the written material will be adapted. They are the last person involved in the creative process of adapting it into a film, hence why they bring in a new writer to create the script.

So it's not fair to say the author sold out just to get the movie made; it's a choice of introduce legions of new people to the characters you love and hope they see the film and pick up the book and have the option to see the differences, or never make a film. At the end of the day, this is still a career and money has to be made on the author's part.

Anyways, JP has made mention of this exact point in the past, especially around the release of adaptations of The Pact and My Sister's Keeper.

[–] greenbudgie 9 years ago

I haven't read the book. But no doubt it has been abbreviated to fit a 90 minute slot. I actually like 90 minute TV movies like this. And this 90 minutes was filled out nicely for me. Anything more and I would have got bored with it.

You're right about Lifetime leaving it late to resolve the situation in their movies. And very often not in a detailed way as you complain. But they're good for people who like twist endings. This movie kept my interest. I liked it.