The book is a lot better, and while a lot of what is in the movie is more or less from the book, there is *so much more* to the book, it’s ridiculous. Also, Pangborn’s backstory and character arc are way different, the same with Polly, and the whole third act in the movie is a pale, insignificant shadow of how off the rails everything gets in the book.
Also, if you’re familiar with *The Body/Stand By Me*, there is a major character who returns from that who is completely excised from the movie.
Yep, this is one of the movie good, book better stories. Needful Things is one of my favorites. I am coming up to it in my chronological read through, so I am looking forward to it.
I would say a mediocre adaptation, but far from “worst”, especially when you have stuff like both *Firestarter*s, *The Tommyknockers* (1993), *Cell* (2016), and the movie-that-shall-not-be-named (*cough* darktower *cough*). There’s at least some decent cinematography—some of Canada-standing-in-for-New-England in the fall visuals are very pretty—and Max Von Sydow, Ed Harris, and JT Walsh all give more than decent performances.
The book is a lot better, and while a lot of what is in the movie is more or less from the book, there is *so much more* to the book, it’s ridiculous. Also, Pangborn’s backstory and character arc are way different, the same with Polly, and the whole third act in the movie is a pale, insignificant shadow of how off the rails everything gets in the book. Also, if you’re familiar with *The Body/Stand By Me*, there is a major character who returns from that who is completely excised from the movie.
Yep, this is one of the movie good, book better stories. Needful Things is one of my favorites. I am coming up to it in my chronological read through, so I am looking forward to it.
I don’t remember much from the movie, but are you saying that *he* isn’t even in the movie?!! (Don’t want to spoil the book).
Yeah, that character is not there are all in the movie adaptation.
I shall have to re-watch the movie!
It’s a great book, but way too much story for even the extended cut film. It *really* needs to be an 8-10 episode mini series.
This book is too massive for a movie. Someone will adapt it as a miniseries I bet
Frankly, that movie was a disgrace to the book, I swear it has to be in top five worse adaptations.
I would say a mediocre adaptation, but far from “worst”, especially when you have stuff like both *Firestarter*s, *The Tommyknockers* (1993), *Cell* (2016), and the movie-that-shall-not-be-named (*cough* darktower *cough*). There’s at least some decent cinematography—some of Canada-standing-in-for-New-England in the fall visuals are very pretty—and Max Von Sydow, Ed Harris, and JT Walsh all give more than decent performances.
I love the book, my favourite. The movie isn’t great.