Un-filmable | How Did They Made A Movie Out of This | Under Lens

“Books are a man’s best friend”.  Quite a true quote but at TRM we are in love with films, but people say friendship is ruined if mixed with love. Is that really true ?

A novel is deemed un-filmable probably because of its difficult or controversial source material or just that it delves so deep into imagination, that it seems impossible to bring it to life. According to critics some books, are simply un-filmable— until, of course, one day they get filmed. TRM picks few such works (random order), which leave us with an awed expression, “how did they made a movie out of this…”

1. Watchmen(2009) –One can argue that a graphic novel is easier to adapt, after all its already a visual medium. But Alan Moore’s classic comic presented enormous challenge due to its scope. Also, behind the scene story was that the author hates adaptation of his work. It was deconstruction of the superhero genre and had to be adapted with great care. Zach Synder finally succeeded, amongst mixed reviews. The movie is incomprehensible, if one has not read the book. A bold, daring attempt though.

2. Life Of Pi (2012) – Yann Martel’s imagination of a boy with a tiger in the middle of an ocean after a shipwreck and then getting stuck in a living island sounds easy to pen down. Ang Lee has turned this novel to remarkable work of cinema. With the advancement of technology in 3D cameras and animation, you wonder how a wild beast could act so good. They have slightly altered the ending, but this one increases your faith in successful adaptations.

3. Lolita (1962) – Stanley Kubirick’s whole idea was to make profit over Vladimir Nabokov’s controversial novel being considered unfilmable. The problem with this one was the scandalous taboo content, which made the book seemingly impossible to legally adapt in early 60’s. However movie alters the events and majorly the female protagonist is elder than mentioned in book to tone down the effects. The film boasts of some remarkable performances, though author disagrees that film is not what was actually written.

4. Catch 22 (1970) – This one was too introspective, with time jumping structure, varying narrators, which made it difficult to translate to screen. Its famous that complex novels don’t make good movies, but, Mike Nicholas did an admirable attempt. It had back luck of being released soon after M*A*S*H and was not well received by audience. But it has aged gracefully and donned with some stunning cast, excellent acting and individual scenes.

5. Where The Wild Things Are (2009) – Most of the directors have problem in condensing a book’s story on screen but Spike Jonze had to make a full length movie out of children’s short story of just 48 pages. The audience was skeptical about losing its emotional directness and simplicity. But with writer Dave Eggers he expanded the story, yet keeping respect for its inspiration. The digital effects were kept light to let the wild giant creatures as real as possible. It has a fierce take on childhood and growing-up and cannot be dismissed as just kid’s film.

Written By: Neha Jain