The Book is Better

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “The book was better.”

You’ll find it in the comments of movie reviews for films based on a book when the commenter actually read the book prior to viewing. Rarely, if ever have you seen a comment stating the movie was better.

I’ll admit, that while I don’t read fiction, I can understand from a writer’s perspective why this may be so.

When reading/writing a book, you’re able to place yourself in the story. How you envision that small rural town, the large oak tree at the end of the road, and the appearance of each character is personal. You’ve already “seen” the movie.

At least your version of it.

In the actual movie, that isn’t at all the way you pictured the chemistry in that relationship. Your mailman was much taller than the character in the film. The pickup in the book was yellow, but the one in the movie was white. And so on.

Your version will always be better.

Hollywood is under no obligation to strictly adhere to the script, and in fact there are at times a disclaimer, letting you know the film is based “loosely” on the original story.

In other words, most of it is fiction.

But if the intent is to entertain, what’s the problem?

Well, the problem lies only with those who’ve read the book. I, like others who have no clue what was in the book leave satisfied because in this case, ignorance is bliss.

Ephesians 4:11,12 says God gave us apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Gifts given for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry and the edification of the body of Christ.

Filmmakers.

Filmmakers who are supposed to stick to the “original” script. Be absolutely true to the Book. Every “jot and tittle.”

But as is the case in Hollywood, they may embellish. Their movie may be based loosely on the original story, or perhaps critical detail lost in translation. The discrepancy, if there is one, is most often not intentional but it’s also not uncommon to make the film more appealing to the masses, resulting in a greater box office and market share.

I have to wonder how many of us see the Sunday movie, but unlike the Bereans, remain blissfully ignorant if it’s true to the Book.
(Bereans would see the movie, and then go back to the Book)  Acts 17:10-11

While we may find it uplifting, encouraging, and entertaining…

The Book is always better.

Acts 17:10-11 (NKJV) Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.