Jaws - Book vs. Adaptation
My first book vs. adaptation review is Jaws! I watched the movie a long time ago and I knew there was a book, but I haven't ever read the book until now. I found it at my local library brought it home and read it. As soon as I finished the book, I immediately watched the movie while it was fresh in my mind. I'm going to dive into this review by reviewing the book and then going into the movie. My likes/dislikes, what was left out, what was added, characters being cut, etc. Without further ado, let's get into it.
Jaws - Peter Benchley
3/5 Stars
This was probably my lowest rated book of the year. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed it but I feel like they focused too much on certain story lines that didn't directly affect the main story. Like Chief Brody and Ellen's relationship, and who Hopper was to Ellen based on her past. I liked that we got some POV from the shark in a way but still didn't understand the motive. I get it it's a shark, but those parts were intriguing how it would talk about the people and then go back to the shark. It wasn't bad at all. I also rated this 3 stars because I didn't feel fully immersed maybe because this book is old, so the style of writing is different. I don't want to give too much away in case y'all haven't read Jaws. This was my first read through.
Jaws - The Movie
4/5 Stars
Ok, don't throw anything at me, but I kind of liked the movie better. Personally, for the reasons I stated above for the book. I didn't really care for the storyline that distracted from the main storyline and luckily they didn't include them in the movie. Now, I don't know the reasons why they decided to not include them in the movie and scrap them but I'm glad they did. I feel it would've been distracting. But knowing what I know reading the book, I could see "hints" of things that happened in the book that you wouldn't pick up on if you just watched the movie.
Overall:
I enjoyed both equally but enjoyed the movie slightly more (again don't throw anything at me) the movie scrapped plot points as most adaptations do. Due to budget restrictions, time, etc. I don't mind the scrapped plot points because it distracted from the main story as stated and I felt it was unnecessary in the book but that's just me. Now, onto the differences and similarities of both.
Similarities:
So, comparing both the book and movie there were some similarities but mostly differences.
- Chrissy's Death
- The Brody Family
Differences:
There were a ton of differences between the book and movie. It was to be expected considering that most adaptations don't stick to the script of the book. But a lot of the differences were minor and didn't really affect anything.
- Tommy and Chrissy's relationship
- The Brody Kids
- Hopper and Ellen's relationship
- The town meeting discussing what to do with the shark.
- Alex's mom and where she was when she slapped Brody.
- Quint
- The money offered to Quint vs. what he got
- The Affair
- Daisy Wicker
- The party Ellen decided to throw for their friends.
- The Mayor's wife.
- The ending
As soon as I remember or look at my notes again this is what I have so far. Now to discuss what I know and try not to give too much away.
Tommy and Chrissy's relationship
In the book, Tommy and Chrissy already knew each other. They were staying at a house close by with another couple. And they were the only people on the beach when Chrissy decided to go skinny dipping in the ocean.
In the movie, they were surrounded by a lot of people next to a van and bonfire on the beach and there's some eye flirting going on before Chrissy gets up and Tommy follows clearly drunk. And as they're running across the beach, he asks her what her name is, implying that they weren't in a relationship previously.
The Brody Kids
Another minor detail but a difference none the less. We are introduced to the Brody kids in the book when Ellen decides to throw the party and they're more talkative and just interactive in the book vs. the movie.
In the movie, we do get some interactive scenes with the kids but for the most part none of the scenes were in the book. Why they went a different direction with this I'm not entirely sure. Like for example in the book when the beach is technically closed the kids aren't present for that. It's just Brody, and this couple and their kids who traveled a long way to see the killer shark. In the movie, the beach is crowded, and the kids want to go on their little boat and Brody tells them to take it into the pond cause there's no way the shark would bother them there. Another example is when the party is going on in the book, the kids are present until bedtime and we learn a little bit about the kids. In the movie, they didn't go to the party because it was an adult only affair, and it was only Ellen, Brody and Hooper. No one else showed up to the party. But we do get a little scene between the youngest Brody and Chief Brody where they are seen doing a copycat thing at the dinner table. It's a sweet little scene and I think they said that was improvised during filming.
Hooper and Ellen's relationship
In the book, it is discovered that Ellen and Hooper know each other already. Ellen used to date his older brother a long time ago. And then further on in the book they end up having an affair because Ellen misses her "old life" before Brody, and I just wasn't a fan of it. In the movie, they first meet when he comes over for dinner and even though none of what I just said is mentioned you can tell there's some history or even chemistry between the two. That's what I meant about seeing "hints" of things knowing what I know after reading the book.
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