Sharp Objects
Written by: Gillian Flynn
Adapted for HBO
I’m
breaking away from my normal review post to talk (RAVE) about the
book-to-screen adaptation of Gillian Flynn’s Sharp Objects.
This
is one of my favorite books—of all time. This one kept me up at night reading,
and then also kept me up at night because it was SCARY. I would categorize the
book as mystery/thriller/fiction, and the fact that the story had me truly
afraid to close my eyes was incredible.
When
I first saw Amy Adams had been cast as Camille Preaker I was skeptical. Adams,
in my mind, still existed as the actress from Enchanted and Leap Year. HOLY
SHIT I was SO wrong. Amy Adams became Camille
Preaker—scars and all. She embodied every description Flynn wrote about
Camille, and now I couldn’t imagine a single other actress playing the part.
She was otherworldly.
While
I’m on the rave-train: Patricia Clarkson & Eliza Scanlen were everything
they needed to be and more in their portrayals of Amma and Adora. There is
nothing I can write that will explain how off
these characters are portrayed by Flynn in the books. Her writing is
ethereal, and the characters are a specific brand of strange. The
writers/casters for HBO did SUCH an incredible job. The town was perfect, and
Amma and Adora were the embodiment of the strangeness, exactly as they should
have been.
This
is a slow burn story and the mini series length was perfect. This allowed so
many details to be included that otherwise would have been cut from a feature
length film, and I just can't stop singing its praises.
***if
you haven’t yet read the book or watched the series stop reading here***
**I'm
serious—spoilers ahead!**
The
ONLY thing I felt was lacking in the series that was stressed in the book was
the obsession with the doll house. I understand that in a visual story it could
have been too much of a giveaway for the teeth in the floor at the very end,
but I feel like Flynn really stressed Amma’s obsession in the book. It added to
the strangeness of her character and when compared with her age helped to make
her seem more off.
Again,
before anyone comes marching with flames and pitchforks, I LOVED the series. It
is hands-down the BEST book to film adaptation that I have ever seen. But,
having watched this with my fiancé who didn’t read the book, I could tell there
were details that would have really helped had they been stressed more
strongly.
Overall,
I give this series a 4.5/5 for their screen adaptation. I am so on board with
HBO’s initiative to produce strong female-led series and movies. Give me all
the mini-series, movies, etc.!
I think Gillian Flynn should be insanely proud
of this adaptation…and I also think she should write another book (smiles
mischievously).
Post a Comment