Sometimes, I hear people say things like, “Books are annoying,” or, “Why read when you can watch a movie?” I toss around such subjective statements, find in myself if I believe there to be any validity to the inquiries and thoughts.
You have to consider the difference between the two mediums, what makes them unique, the benefits they both present. In this very discussion I had in a class, my professor brought up a valid point about the differences: A book allows for a rapid shifting of perspective which in a movie would be too jerking and complex. Even the ability to shift between the thoughts of two people is a luxury books afford that would be lost in translation in film. Books create the world, shifting the perspective, the proverbial “camera”, in a way that puts the world and characters into perspective in such a way would be disorientating i.e. shifting from character to birds-eye and back again.
Admittedly, a gifted cinematographer can make characters come to life; physical characterization can be captured with visuals, easier cues to be seen and understood as we experience them every day. No level of subtlety to be analyzed and deciphered, they gain a level of humanity some people lose among the words with comparisons and references they can’t relate to. A gifted shot can, not replace deep thought literary characters experience sometimes over multiple pages, but can come pretty damn close through the expression of deep emotion and thought in body language.
Visual mediums are tragically limited by the attention spans of the audience; where books have lulls and spikes which fluctuate in a way that can be stopped and picked up without missing a beat. Movies often have to gloss through topics and subjects to fit into a time schedule; no one stops a movie they are enjoying halfway through, they are meant to be viewed in one sitting and to do that some things have to be compromised. It is a fine line to walk between too blunt and too subtle/too abstract, we’ve all seen a scene where the line or action feels forced down our throats when we wish we could linger for a moment. On a related topic, shows like Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, The Wire, these shows benefit from their length: at a time half the length of a standard movie (sometimes a third) so much can be shown when a season becomes (in effect) a ten hour long movie broken into acts. The week wait between episodes builds hype and promotes dialogue, the collisions of differing perspectives allow for a deeper understanding of the plot and characterization/motivations.
Ultimately, it’s a personal preference as to which you prefer, they both have advantages that make them unique and allow the story to be absorbed and received: a skilled movie director and cinematographer and writer can weave the most intricate and compelling story just as a poorly written story can lead to confusion and isolation. You’ll find so much in this world that will resonate with you, so many people who speak with a voice so close to your own: their catharsis becomes yours their epiphanies will open your eyes and you will see the world with shared eyes: Explore all art forms, don’t miss an opportunity to grow.
