This is semi-regular feature where we can talk about which was better, the book or the movie. I read the book in January 2013 (post here) and watched the movie last Friday, the day it came out. Let’s break down how they compare.
*This is as spoiler free as possible!!!
The Story/Plot Nick and Amy meet in New York and fall in love. When the money gets tight and Nick’s mom gets sick they move to Missouri. One or both of them turns into a sociopath and the paparazzi cameras are rolling. I think both the movie and book do an excellent job of telling the story of this couple and the crumbling facade of their marriage. Thumbs Up-Tie
The Visual The book is dark and the movie was also dark, really at times it felt like the X-Files and you needed a flashlight. I don’t really feel that the movie added anything visually to the book. There’s no real reason to see it on the big screen unless you just can’t wait to spent more time with Nick and Amy. To me, the descriptions in the book were just as effective in creating a visual image. Thumbs Up-Tie
Characters vs. Actors I think Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike became Nick and Amy. Excellent choices and great acting (at least I hope it was acting!). I love Neil Patrick Harris but he was not exactly who I pictured as Desi. Margo, Nick’s sister was played by a new actress to me, Carrie Coon and I thought she did a great job. I know people are complaining about a character missing, but I really wasn’t bothered by the minor exclusion. Thumbs Up-Tie
The Ending Up until this point I think both book and movie were on equal footing. In the book, the ending packed a punch for me. I was upset. In the movie, the ‘ending’ went on so long with so many scene cuts that I just wanted it to figure out what it wanted to say and to do it. For me, it was a weak. It did change just enough to make the ending different while still being the same in spirit. If that makes any sense. Thumbs Up-Book
And the winner is…the Book!
Now it’s your turn to vote
Other book vs. movie polls you can vote on: (We Have Always Lived in the Castle) (Good Morning, Midnight/ The Midnight Sky) (Before I Go To Sleep) (The Little Prince) (Charlie St. Cloud) (Far From the Madding Crowd) (The Girl on the Train) (Tuck Everlasting) (Northanger Abbey) (Me Before You) (And Then There Were None) (Still Alice) (The Blind Side) (The Fault in Our Stars) (The Hound of the Baskervilles) (Gone Girl) (Jack Reacher) (Ender’s Game) (Carrie, the original) (Under the Tuscan Sun) (The Secret Life of Bees) (The Shining, the original)
Stacy's Books 
I read the book the same time you did. It was a great thriller and I really enjoyed Amy’s character. The ending wasn’t neat and tidy and was pretty fitting. Not the usual book I like to read, though. I can’t wait to see the movie, though. It’ll be a while, though. Sounds like it’s comparable to the book.
Oh, it’s definitely comparable to the book. I didn’t really like any of the characters, well, maybe Margo because she had some sense!
I answered “the book” in the poll because, frankly, if you read the book, you already knew what happens so that thrill had already been experienced. Don’t get me wrong. It was a great film and very well acted and it really was just like the book, but like I said. The film didn’t quite slap you in the face like the book did. 🙂
It’s true that the movie didn’t have quite the same impact after you’ve read the book. My husband hadn’t read it and loved the movie.
There were people in the theater who hadn’t read the book and they audibly were like “what a horrible couple, what horrible people, the ending sucks” and I just giggled ebcause ummmm maybe you should have read the book! But I think it is a movie where you could not read the book and still enjoy and understand the whole movie.
I have yet to see this, but I think I’ll be going this weekend. I’ve read that you must see it on the big screen for no reason but for the soundtrack. Based on what Fincher and Trent Reznor did with “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”, I cannot wait to see/hear it. And yes, I remember that book ending, holy crap. While I think they changed it, Flynn was in on it, so I have to assume that the spirit of the madness is still there!
You know, I never even noticed the soundtrack but that’s not a big surprise. I think the movie translated so well because Flynn wrote the screenplay. Not exactly sure why she messed with the ending though.
Even though now I have read/seen many spoilers to this book, back when it first came out. I read a few chapters and stopped because I didn’t like the characters at all. Now I’ve heard so many say that you aren’t supposed to like them, but that the book is worth reading. I guess I should give it another try before seeing the movie.
Thanks for a really informative review– the best one I’ve seen so far concerning the book and movie 🙂
Thanks! I didn’t love the book, but around the halfway point it became impossibleto put down.
I haven’t read the book but might rent it someday. I’ve heard good things about the movie being kind of faithful to the book.
I haven’t read the book or seen the movie, but I want to!
I was slightly disappointed that there wasn’t more of a change of the ending. It was basically the same despite all the media hype of a big change. Still, it was a good movie and I thought it was well cast and well done over all.
I loved the movie. I think I had a good distance of about 2 years between reading it and watching that I didn’t compare too much. I agree about the ending. I thought the actors were excellent and I totally pictured Ben as Nick so that was nice. I’m still on team Nick. I think the movie was skewed in his favor too. But that’s just how I felt.
I think I need to review the ending of the book before I get to the movie. I have my husband convinced to go – but it’s a 30-50 mile trip to get to a theater from here. It’s not something we do much on the spur of the moment – but I’m hoping.
I saw the movie only. Now I have to go check the book to see what the ending there was!