Post 5: Adapting your book

The book could not be adapted into a movie without the most important thing in the plot, the letters Gerry left for Holly after his death. Without these letters the movie would become completely different because this is why Holly does a lot of the things she does in the book. Gerry left her letters, one for each month with instructions on something to do that month and the book follows Holly as she carries out these things. I also think the movie would have to include Holly’s best friend Sharon. I think that Sharon is a huge contributor to what forced Holly to pull out of her reclusive depression. Sharon also cheers on and helps Holly complete the tasks that were left behind for her. I think the scene were Sharon forces Holly to do karaoke is also a scene that needs to carry on from the book into the movie. This is a scene where Holly really doesn’t want to do one of the things in Gerry’s letters, but with Sharon’s help and the reminder that Gerry wanted her to sing, Holly decides that she will.  I would like for this to stay in the movie because it shows how much Holly cares for Gerry and how she will do anything, including things she really doesn't want to do, to keep him apart of her.

One thing I think can be left out of the movie is Richard, Holly’s brother that she doesn’t get along with. The book spends a lot of time talking about how Holly and Richard don’t get along and I don’t see how it is important to the plot line. I don’t like Richard’s character and I don’t think he has any major roles in the book except for making Holly mad so I think he could be left out when the book is being adapted into a movie. Another thing that I think the movie could do without is the accent that all the characters have. I think that the way they talk is part of the reason I don’t love the book. I don’t understand all the things they say because they say things differently. I think the movie would be better off if the characters had an American accent.