Books into film -- Fall 2012 edition

The big big news in book and film combos this fall is probably the November 16th release of Breaking Dawn, part 2 in the continuing film adaptation of the Twilight Saga novels (M). It really needs little introduction or explanation. While you're waiting for that one, here's a few more to consider.

There are several beloved books being adapted into films this fall -- always a tricky task in my opinion as fans them tend to be very attached to the story and feel film adaptations often can't do them justice. (click on the film poster to view the official trailers)

The adaptation of cult classic teen novel The Perks of Being a Wallflower (M) by Steven Chbosky (September 21 release) stands a bit more of a chance I think, as the director is none other than the author itself.

I count myself amongst the skeptical fans of the book Cloud Atlas (M) by David Mitchell (October 26th release) who are worried that the adaptation will be just terrible. I loved the book, a sprawling, structurally intricate but immensely readable novel that travels around the world and through time. It seems unfilmable but filmed it has been—the fact that the production required three directors and a wide cast with several actors playing multiple characters should give you a sense of the challenge. I'm intrigued by the trailer though and will probably go see the film, although maybe I should just read the book again.

Life of Pi (M) is based on the Booker Prize winning novel by Yann Martel (November 21st release), and like Cloud Atlas presents some huge hurdles in depicting it on a film. The story of a young boy who is shipwrecked at sea and shares a life boat for 227 days with a Bengal Tiger was hugely popular amongst readers, but many had a hard time with the suspension of disbelief with a fantastical tale that was presented very realistically. Time will tell if director Ang Lee is able to overcome that in the film version.

Argo (October 12th release) is not based on a book, but it is based on a true story and credits an article by a journalist--Joshuah Bearman--in the film's credits. Interestingly, a new book called Argo: how the CIA and Hollywood pulled off the most audacious rescue in history (M) by two different journalists has also just been released. It focuses on the same story of espionage and tells of an incredibly daring rescue in Iran during the late 70's.

The film Killing Them Softly (October 19th release) is based on the book Cogan's Trade (M) by George V. Higgins. I never get when they change the name of the movie that a book is based on, it really just confuses everyone doesn't it? Although I guess I have to admit the film title is catchier than the book one in this case. Publishers Weekly commented that author Higgins "was considered on of the leading crime writers of his day, often compared to Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett." Fans of those authors will want to keep their eyes peeled for the movie and perhaps dip into this and other titles by the author.

And two more to round it out: The Paperboy (M) based on the book of the same name by Pete Dexter has already hit the festival circuit and has a limited theatre release starting in October. Dexter is a respected author of gritty, noirish books that tend to have characters at their centre. The Paperboy is about a journalist who returns to his Florida home town to investigate the murder of the local Sheriff. And finally a new adaptation of Anna Karenina (M) starring Keira Knightley and Jude Law is scheduled for a November release. If you start now, you probably have time to get through the book before the film hits the screen.