The Help

I have never seen a movie that lives up to the book - but then again i am not a movie person - they generally disappoint me no matter what.

I loved The Help - thought it was great...

Just from the trailer, I've wondered if the movie is going to be "lighter" than the book, and I think that's a shame.

I loved the book "The Time Traveler's Wife". The movie missed so much, but that was a really involved storyline, and so it would've been hard to get it all in a movie.

"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" must be watched in the original Swedish version, IMO.

I can not think of one movie based on a book that captures the book perfectly.

I read & loved The Help when it came out & won't see the movie. Some things are better left in my head.

The movie versions of most books tend to disappoint me for the same reason- not as great as I imagined! This is especially true for books that rely heavily on internal monologue and require insight into the narrators thoughts and emotions. We saw "My Sister's Keeper" after reading the book- while it was a good movie, those of us who had also read the book were disappointed b/c you are not as attached to the two girls.

I really liked "The Help". The ending was abrupt, but the story had been told so no need to go on further. I doubt I will see this movie- maybe a rental after the baby is born! You are completely correct about the Other Boleyn Girl... LOVED that book- really didn't like the movie!

I actually already saw the movie (a sneak peek, since I work at a radio station) I liked it! Of course I liked the book more since you can get deeper into a book. But the movie was good. It followed the book pretty closely, but in my opinion was not quite as serious or thought provoking as the book. But if you liked the book I would recommend the movie. Even though a few parts were left out I still found it enjoyable and do recommend it :)

I LOVED 'The Help' but read it right after it came out. I'm kind of undecided on seeing the movie since, I too agree that the movie usually disappoints.

I read all 3 of the Steig Larssen books, 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' series and saw the original European movies which were very good. I'm afraid that by the time the American versions of the movies come out they will not be very good.

Hi There,
I have not read the book, but I went to the sneak preview of the movie last night. I thougtht it was an amazing movie. It really submersed you in the thoughts and feelings of both sides. It made you angry, sad, happy, triumphant and giddy....everything good cinematography should. I got in free to this movie, but I would definitely go pay to see it and will own it when it comes out. My friend that went with me said she read the book and that it kept true to the book. Hope you go see if for yourself.

Yes, can't wait for this movie! Loved the entire book.

The one movie that really disappointed was VI Warshawski. Terrific series of books, but the movie was nothing like the books. They even changed a main character from a brother to a love interest in the movie. Ack. I remember the movie bombed at the time and there was good reason for it.

I loved the Help. It was such a great story. I do plan to see the movie since it's looks really good as well.

I find it's very rare that a great book also has a great movie. The Godfather is one book and movie that did not dissappoint.

The Firm is a great example of a terrific book and great movie - but both were SO DIFFERENT!! You could only love the movie if you never read the book.

Do movies disappoint after reading the book? Almost EVERY time!!!
I loved The Help. Will not do the movie. In fact, I watched Julie and Julia last year and didn't know until the end that there ever WAS a book, and wished I'd just read the book instead! (even tho MS was great as Julia).

The Help was my favorite book of 2010, and I read a lot! My book club is very divided on the movie, I want to see it because I love Emma Stone and it looks like the movie was very well cast. Of books to movies, I thought Julia Roberts was wonderful in Eat, Pray, Love, she really brought the angst and discovery that the character experienced through her journey. However, I generally agree with you that the movies never live up to what I've imagined when I read a good book. One of my all time favorite books is The Lovely Bones and I refuse to see that movie because there is no way it could live up to what I imagined when reading that wonderful book. Whatever you decide, keep reading!

We read the help in our bookclub a couple months ago. i loved it. Loved it all. Am like you and afraid the movie will not be as good. But they have chosen great actresses to play the parts so hopefully it will be good.

I read the book and loved it. Gave it out to for others to pass on. Have not see the movie but have hopes that it is like the book. Most of the time they have to change some scenes to make the movie. I look forward to seeing the movie.

I've read all these books and seen all the movies. I find it's best to give it some time inbetween because the movie always disappoints after the book.
I enjoyed the Help for entertainment value. It was ok.

The book is nearly always better.

O. exception for me, Water For Elephants. The book was just SO good, I was almost afraid to see the movie. But on film, it was just what I pictured while I was reading the book.

LOVED that book! And yes, I'm with the others that the movie is never what I want it to be after reading any book! I think it's mostly b/c the books can go into character development so much more and are able to paint a better scene b/c they are longer. It's hard to squash down 400 pages (or more!) into a good 2 hr. movie!

I am almost always disappointed in the movie versions of books that I love (though I did LOVE the Harry Potter movies, I think they a great job translating those stories to film.)
I read The Help some time ago, so it's not as fresh in my mind, but I can say that the trailers they're showing don't seem to be the way I remember the book at all. I remember it being fairly dark and serious, the movie commercials almost make it look like a comedy!

Movies never seem to do justice to the book! This has been an ongoing event every since producers started adapting movies and plays to the Big Screen. In our house when a book is being made into a movie, it is required that we read the book first. Then as a special treat we go see the movie and discuss the ways the book and the movie are alike or similar. Polar Express, Holes, Harry Potter, Tuck Everlasting, are just a few that we have done this with.

You have to expect some "creative license" to be taken with the director. They cannot rely on the audience to use their imagination to create the scene. Or rely on the audience to catch the subtle nuances of the characters. A director has to make the movie interesting to the audience. Unlike a book, where people will come back and pick it up to read later, once a person walks out of the theater they usually don't come back.

Oh my gosh! I wish I read these days! I don't think I have read a book since I have been married. Ok, cancel that. I read "Same Kind of Different As Me" and it changed my life (also read the follow up "What Difference Do It Make?".
So now I am going to read "The Help" (I think, God willing)
~A.
P.S. I read E.T. and the movie was hardly anything like the book (which was phenomenal). Now that I think about it, The Outsiders was a better book and so was The Godfather. Jeez..... books ARE better than movies!

I had better not read the answers to this post! I am in the middle of the book right now!

And yes, movies post books usually disappoint.

Usually disappointed. But The Count of Monte Cristo movie ended better in my opinion. Loved the book, though.
I read the Help. I loved the book and the ending, except it left me wanting more- like an epilogue or a small sequel to let me know what they're up to now. Maybe there will be a sequel- probably not. I am taking myself on a mommy time-out to see the movie ALL ALONE!!! Sigh, can't wait.

I loved the Help, and I can't wait to see the movie! I really like a lot of the actresses in it, so I hope it will be as good as the book. I've been talking it up to my BILs so I think at least one of them will go with me. :-)