Books into Movies - Summer 2009

Screenwriters have been adapting books into movies since Georges Méliès used Jules Verne’s From the Earth to the Moon as a source for the first science-fiction film, A Trip to the Moon, in 1902 (included in the bonus features on this DVD). Over a hundred years later, they’re still at it. This summer promises some real treats for book lovers who enjoy a good flick.

The summer action starts off with a bang when Angels & Demons (watch the trailer) opens May 15. Robert Langdon chases the Illuminati across Rome, in an attempt to derail a plot against the Catholic Church. Tom Hanks returns as the intrepid investigator, although I understand the filmmakers wisely decided to do away with the goofy hairdo he sported in The Da Vinci Code.

Next on track is a remake of The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, (watch the trailer) which opens June 12. It’s the third film version of John Godey’s 1973 thriller about the hijacking of a New York City subway train; this time around it stars Denzel Washington and John Travolta, along with a couple of my favorite character actors, Luis Gúzman and John Turturro. All aboard!

Switching gears and slowing down, Michelle Pfeiffer stars in the film version of Chéri, opening in limited release on June 26. Beautiful but aging Léa is asked to see to the worldly education of the son of an old friend. It’s been described as the story of a relationship between a boy who won’t grow up and a woman who can’t stay young. From what I saw in the trailer, the film looks gorgeous – exactly the kind of movie you want to come downtown to see at the Cameo!

Also opening on the 26th: Abigail Breslin stars in My Sister’s Keeper (watch the trailer), the adaptation of Jodi Picoult’s novel about a girl with a very sick older sister. Cameron Diaz and Jason Patric play the parents, with Sofia Vassilieva as the sister, Kate. This movie should be popular with all the book clubs that read and enjoyed the book – remember to bring a box of tissues when you go to see it.

I Love You, Beth Cooper (watch the trailer) is based on Larry Doyle’s novel about what happens when a shy high-school valedictorian throws caution to the winds and tells the cheerleader he adores how he feels – during the graduation ceremony. Hilarity and complications ensue. This teen-geek rom-com opens July 10, and it’s directed by Chris Columbus, who helmed the first two Harry Potter movies.

Speaking of the Boy Wizard, all good Muggles know to keep their date books open for July 15, the day that Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (watch the trailer) opens. In this, the penultimate installation of the series, Harry and Professor Dumbledore prepare for the battle they know is coming against Voldemort. If any book-movie is guaranteed money in the bank this summer, it’s got to be this one.

More fantasy is in store on August 14, with the opening of The Time Traveler’s Wife (no trailer available yet). A blend of science fiction and romance, but not quite either of these things, it’s the story of Clare and her husband Henry, who suffers from a rare genetic disorder that causes him to jump from one time period to another. This is another book club favorite whose arrival has been eagerly anticipated by the many loyal fans of the book. Hey – Eric Bana plays Henry, a librarian. What’s not to like?

The summer closes with a tasty morsel of a movie, Julie & Julia (watch the trailer), which is based on not one, not two, but three books. The title comes from Julie Powell’s account of how she spent a year preparing (or trying to prepare!) every recipe in Julia Child’s breakthrough work, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Interspersed with Julie’s struggle to find herself in haute cuisine is the story of how a nice lady from America became an internationally known chef and television star; material for this came from Mrs. Child’s memoir My Life in France. Amy Adams stars as Julie, while Meryl Streep positively channels Julia. Think of this film as a scrumptious dessert for summer’s end – Bon Appétit!

--Nora