"Book-to-Screen Adaptations Excelling: '99 Francs' and 'Remember Everything'"
Films Made From Books: A Diverse Bag of Adaptions
First off, let's make one thing clear: not all movie adaptations of books can match the brilliance of the original work. But sometimes, the stars align, and we get some real gems. In this post, we're gonna chat about five films based on other authors' works that hit the sweet spot.
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (16+)
David Fincher has proven he's no slouch when it comes to movies. He took F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story and transformed it into an unusual two-hour drama with Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. In this film, a man named Benjamin Button undergoes an extraordinary aging process—from a wrinkled old man, he transforms into a man and then a youngster, enjoying life, honing his skills, falling in love, and surviving through it all.
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"Total Recall" (18+)
Those '90s action flicks had a certain charm, didn't they? Arnold Schwarzenegger's "Total Recall" is one such movie. Based on Philip K. Dick's work, it tells the story of a regular Joe named Doug, who wanted a change, so he used modern technology to explore another life. After his session ends, he's left puzzled about his true identity and his newfound combat skills. Everyone's chasing him, but he must figure out what's happening to understand the mayhem.
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"99 Francs" (16+)
Frederic Beigbeder's novels haven't had the best luck on the big screen. But there's one adaptation that stands out: the provoking flick about the marketing world, "99 Francs." The story centers on Octave, a wildly popular author who's successful in his field. But one obstinate woman throws a wrench in his plans, leading him to destabilize his own campaign, risking everything he's built up.
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Christopher Nolan's earlier films include an adaptation of a novel by Christopher Priest. Both the book and the film portray the rivalry between two former friends and illusionists, Robert and Alfred. Their friendship once was peaceful, but as time goes by, they start to outdo each other, complicating each other's acts and engaging in a thrilling battle of magic and deception.
"Bullet Train" (16+)
"Train to Busan" fans might wanna take a look at David Leitch's "Bullet Train," which was inspired by Japanese author Kotaro Isaka's novel "Killing Commendatore." The movie revolves around an assassin codenamed Ladybug, played by Brad Pitt. His mission seems simple: infiltrate a train and steal a briefcase. But every car of the train is full of different assassins with their own objectives, making his task more complicated than it seems.
Photo: cinemavilla.org
Philip K. Dick's works have seen many adaptations over the years. Each film brings its own take on Dick's original novels, merging action, drama, and science fiction with the author's intellectual and psychological explorations. While some remain faithful to the source material, others branch out, offering unique interpretations of Dick's imaginative concepts.
Movies-and-tv entertainment often adapt books into films, with some adaptations, like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Time Total Recall, 99 Francs, and Bullet Train, managing to capture the essence of their source material, providing unique cinematic experiences. Additionally, works by Philip K. Dick, such as those mentioned earlier, continue to inspire diverse adaptations that bridge the worlds of action, drama, and science fiction, reflecting the author's intellectual and psychological explorations.
