Benjamin Button
I’ve never read much of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s work. I’m pretty sure “The Great Gatsby” was included in my high school curriculum but that was a long time ago and I don’t remember much of those classes anyway. But awhile ago my husband and I settled in to watch the movie “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”. And I loved it. I loved it so much that I decided I had to read the original story.
At first I couldn’t decide if I was disappointed or not. And I couldn’t figure out, if I WAS disappointed, was it with the book or the film?
The book and the movie have exactly three things in common: the title, the name of the main character, and the fact that he grows younger as the years pass. I’ve already admitted I loved the movie. (Fans of the original short story are probably throwing rotten veggies at the screen right now.) But Eric Roth (the screen play writer) created an entirely new story. It was billed as “based on” Fitzgerald’s work. Quite frankly, that is a stretch. I can understand why his fans could be insulted by such a claim. But here’s the thing - I love the original work just as much.
The movie is a romance, a story about an enduring love that evolves & transcends age. I do so love a good love story. The book is much more tragic, full of selfishness & contempt, illustrating what difficulties would be encountered while living such a phenomenon. And I love darker considerations. So I’ve finally concluded I’m not disappointed in either. I can’t be. They’re NOT THE SAME STORY.
But I’m curious about YOUR opinion. Were you a fan of Fitzgerald’s story and disappointed with the movie? Did you fall in the love with the movie and hate the book? Something in between? Let me know!
3 Comments so far
by KatieFeldmom
On March 5, 2010 at 10:05 am
I haven’t read the book or seen the movie. Guess I should add them to my to-do list. I’m trying to read more “classics” so maybe when I’m done with Wuthering Heights, I do Benjamin Button.
by Rhoni Wilkins
On March 5, 2010 at 11:21 am
Katie - the book is ULTRA short. I read it in less than an hour.
by Amber
On March 7, 2010 at 9:21 pm
We never did get around to seeing the movie, though we were intrigued by it. I think I prefer love stories to darker considerations, so I’m going to guess I would like the movie. But since it’s a short read, maybe I’ll start with the book!