I
recently watched, with great anticipation leading up to my viewing the movie, The Girl on the Train. The film is based on the best-selling
psychothriller penned by Paula Hawkins.
It was my favorite movie since Gone
Girl, another movie based on a blockbuster book, by Gillian Flynn. I really enjoy these “books-on-video,” so
much so that I must confess I’d sooner see a movie based on a great novel than
read that very same book. Why would a self-professed lover and defender of
books say that?
There’s
only so much time to read so many books, so I’d rather read the books that don’t become
movies. For books that get dramatized on the big screen. I thoroughly enjoy watching the action
unfold. Nothing beats the fantasy and
imagination of a reader combing through a great book, but if I can consume some
great books in less than two hours with great visuals, I’m in. This allows me to not only experience a story in a different way, but it also provides me with reading time to explore non-fiction,
and other fiction that won’t convert into Hollywood artistry.
Is
it so bad to admit I enjoy a movie over reading the book it’s based on? The book world needs people like me, so it
can make more money. Some read the book.
Some see the movie. Some do both.
I
think there are many genres of movies that have taken over in the past few
years. There’s a market for a dystopian
future (Hunger Games), science
fiction (The Martian), and
psychodramas like The Girl on the Train.
All
of these novels-turned-movies represent something about society that
seems in need of deeper exploration -- otherwise these books would fail and
falter at the box office. We seem to
have deep-seated fears about the future, unending curiosity about space and
technology, and fearful insecurities about the relationships we commit to.
Whatever
happened to the schmaltzy, Hollywood-ending, feel-good movie? It’s no longer enough nor reasonable to
accept happily-ever-after or guy-gets-girl films. Now it’s who can save a world
that isn’t always worth saving? Who gets
to play God when it comes to the unlimited power of science and
technology? Who gets to cheat on or kill
their spouse?
But
none of this is new to publishing or Hollywood. Many books and movies over the
years have been crafted based on different fears, desires, and delusions of
power. Instead of movies about drug wars, we do battle in space. Instead of
stories about a spouse having an affair, we amp it up and toss in murder, rape
and abuse. Instead of movies about dictators
that actually existed, we explore how machines will dictate our lives.
Maybe
one thing we’ve been spared is more political dramas. The nation is exhausted and fatigued from a
four-year-old election with the highest level of low-brow, mud-slinging ever seen.
What books or movies can possibly come of this deplorable race to the White
House?
But
if we can have Trump battle an alien, or find a way for Clinton to Kill Bill
and cover up her affairs, maybe we’ll get the book or movie some people eagerly
await.
If
you like a good thriller, where beautiful, rich people seem unhappy over having
everything, go see The Girl on the Train. Or read the book. Or both.
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Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog
are his alone and not that of his employer. You can follow him on Twitter
@theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more
important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by
BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2016 ©.
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