Post #5: Adapting My Book

One of the difficulties a filmmaker would face when turning the book P.S. I Love You into a movie is a large part of the book is Holly’s, the main characters, thoughts. It would be difficult for a filmmaker to show all of Holly’s emotions and thoughts. Another difficulty filmmakers would face when adapting the book is the book contains a lot of flashbacks. It would be hard to include all of them but most of them are significant to the story.

Necessary Scenes

One scene in the book that would be necessary to put in the film is Gerry, Holly’s husbands, death scene. In the book this scene was not very long and it was a flash back but I think it is necessary because it would illustrate Holly and Gerry’s relationship and it would help the audience see how strong Holly is. In this scene Holly would flashback to when her husband past away. It would be a short scene but it would show Gerry in the hospital barely able to hold on and Holly reassuring him that it was okay to let go.

Another scene in the book that would be essential in the film is part when Holly opens the first letter. The book is all about the letters Gerry wrote Holly after he passed and it is a turning point in the book. The film would need to show Holly looking at the letter in shock as it dawned on her that it was actually form Gerry. It would need to show Holly crying tears of joy because Holly had a positive reaction to the letters.

Lastly, I think that the part of the book when Holly celebrates her 30^th birthday party would be necessary to keep in the film. Holly’s birthday party is the first time Holly really goes out since Gerry’s death. It is essential because it shows how Holly is really trying to move forward and stop grieving. This scene is also a fun scene that was enjoyable to read. It introduces Holly’s friends, Denise and Sharon, which are my favorite characters in the book.

Unnecessary Scenes

One scene in the book that I would cut from the film is when Holly first leaves the house after Gerry’s death to get her haircut. This scene was very descriptive in the book but it was completely irrelevant to the story. Holly getting her haircut had nothing to do with the rest of the story and it was one of the most boring parts of the book.

Another scene I would cut from the book is when Holly has dinner with her family. Holly goes to her parent’s house for dinner for a family reunion since her younger sister, Ciara, is back in town. This scene describes Holly’s family is so much detail. Holly explains who she is close to in her family and who she isn’t close to and the dinner scene shows the tension that exists in her family. This scene has nothing to do with Holly or her relationship with Gerry which is the whole point of the book. The scene was very long and boring and completely unnecessary to include in the movie.