I have to admit I wasn't very excited about going to see the movie version of Bridge to Terabithia. Even though I found the book to be well crafted, I had no interest in seeing the movie. I have to say that this is one of those rare instances when I liked the movie better than the book.
What I found so satisfying is that while the movie was true to the book it had a depth and richness I didn't really get from the novel. I thought the actors that played the parts of Jess and Leslie were perfect. I loved Jess' sister May Bell and the development of the relationship between them. I also liked the modern updates and extra touches of humor. It made me laugh out loud to see Jess wearing his sister's sneakers that were pink and trying to color the pink stripes over with a magic marker.
Additionally, the movie felt more honest and real to me than the novel, especially when Jess expresses guilt over Leslie's death; that element was missing from the novel and really bothered me. I think that that brief scene in the movie coupled with the upbeat ending changed my whole perception of the work as a whole.
The best part of the movie for me was the subtle changes at the end of the movie. I am glad the screen writer allowed us to see the finished bridge and that Jess took May Belle with him to be a princess.
It is fitting that the real life Jess would add his own touches to his mother's work and that those touches for me somehow made the story better and complete.
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I have similar feelings about how I like the movie better than the novel. I am usually the person who always says that the movie was not as moving/powerful/touching, etc. as the novel was. I also feel that the movie trailer does not advertise what the movie is really like, and I due to that prior exposure, I came with preconceived notions that the movie was going to be much more loosely adapted than it actually is. I am glad that I enjoyed the story more in the movie, and that the movie version did not deviate too far from the novel’s storyline and essence after all.
I agree with some of the comments you made in regards to the movie's strenghts. Having the ability to visually witness Jess's reaction to Leslie's death enabled me to empathize with his character on a more personal level. It was heartbreaking to see how detached and withdrawn Jess became as a result of Leslie's death. One particular scene that resonated with me was when Jess had his head on his desk during Music class. While all of the other children were somber and mournful, Jess appeared as though his entire life had fallen apart. The music class symbolized a source of joy for Jess and his peers. That source of joy had been stripped away from him as a result of his loss. The movie portrayed this anguish. The ending scene in which Jess revealed Terabithia to Maybelle signaled hope and the visuals from the movie effectively supported this theme.
I typically find it difficult to say that I like a movie better than a book, but in this instance, I did. Sure, at first, I was the typical reader, picking apart the movie for the contrasts it showed to the book. However, I soon was so pulled in by the characters and their relationships, that my job as a critic melted away. My favorite part was were Maybelle first entered Terabithia and all the Terabithians came to welcome and bow down to her! Jess' imagaination had to be cultivated into seeing Terabithia, but Maybelle instantly was there. Makes one wonder where our imaginations go in such little amounts of time. I really enjoyed reading the book, but the movie really made the book come alive for me! The giant at the end, looking like Janice Avery, topped the charts! what a way for the writers to include a reality situation that Jess, Lesleigh, and Maybelle all had to endure, and make it into a heart-warming finale. Well done to all writers, whether by movie or book!
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