An adaption better than the novel it was inspired by is almost blasphemy in the literary world. Yet, there are some screen reimaginings that came pretty close to capturing the literary brilliance of their source. For centuries, literature has been a muse to filmmakers in Hollywood, and there have been instances where they also managed to surpass the literary counterpart of it. As we need perfect alibis for the perfect crimes. Here’s a list of five adaptations that came alive on screen without compromising the literary essence of the books:
The Devil Wears Prada
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In 2006, the world of fashion was revolutionised with the release of The Devil wears Prada, a masterpiece on fashion journalism directed by David Frankel. The comedy-drama swayed away the audience by giving us some highly influential style icons, Miranda Priestly and Andrea Sachs. The screenplay is an adaptation of Lauren Weisberger’s bestselling novel of the same name. The book has been heralded as an expression of new-age feminism through the lens of two women of different ages.
Oscar-winning actor Meryl Streep played the iconic Miranda Priestly, the chief of Runway magazine, and Emmy Award winner Anne Hathaway essays a naive fresher appointed as her assistant. The incomparable Priestly with her elegant manners and chic ensembles rules her magazine and the fashion world, but much like the Devil himself creates her own iteration of Hell for those working under her.
Seeking validation from Priestly, Sachs chases perfection, only to realise she is emulating the Devil, Miranda herself. She dresses fashionably and dishes witty quips but amid it all forgot to nurture her relationships.
Although Priestly is portrayed as a clever, tough, and a powerful woman, that is not all to her. She is not an embodiment of the power-hungry individual, but the modern woman who can hold her own in a man’s world. Sachs learning her lesson decides to quit her job in search of something that ignites a passion in her, much the same way as the magazine does for Priestly. The two women are antitheses of one another but compliment each other well.
The Shawshank Redemption
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A tale set in a prison, Rita Hayworth & Shawshank Redemption, one of Stephen King’s most beloved and iconic stories was published in 1982, which later was also adapted into a well-known film ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ in 1994.
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The plot revolves around two men convicted for murder, Red (Morgan Freeman), guilty as charged, and Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), innocent, wrongly accused for murdering his wife and her lover. Andy struggling to adjust, and getting along with the fellow inmates somehow manages to befriend Red, famously known for his ability of getting hands on things that usually is impossible to get a hold of in prison. In the grim loneliness and corrupt environment of the Shawshank, they form an alliance to scheme up an escape from the prison.
The opening scene of Red, now a free man, narrating the story of an inmate who became his closest friend at Shawshank draws the readers into bringing the character of Andy to life. The script describes how, with their shared skills and wit, the two come to share a bond that takes a lifetime to create otherwise.
“Some birds are not meant to be caged, that’s all. Their feathers are too bright, their songs too sweet and wild.” While Stephen King writing evokes a gamut of emotions, Morgan Freeman’s narration gives it real voice. A story of hope, redemption, and friendship, it encourages one to keep going in hard times. Despite its failure at the box office, the film is often cited as one of the greatest to be ever made and remains a comfort film for many.
Nomadland
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Directed by Chloe, Zhao Nomadland , is a candid depiction of growing community of American nomads traveling in search of seasonal employment after the great recession. Jessica Bruder’s 2017 book Nomadland: Survining America in the Twenty-First Century. Nominated for six Academy Awards, starring Frances McDormand as the protagonist, the film featured real-life normads Bruder met in her investigation.
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The film bagged three Oscars, and Zhao became the second woman to win Oscar for best director. The plot of the film revolves around fern, played by Frances, who is a widow and has no kids to hold her in place. Fern, an oddball of a character hits road with her van, picking up seasonal work, and romanticising the quiet power of freedom that comes with loneliness. The not-so-subtle subtext of the story contradicts dwelling in the standards set by society of a conventional home. Wherever the road takes fern, is her home, houseless but never homeless. Fern might be fictitious but her world isn’t.
The Godfather
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From the pages of Mario Puzo’s novel emerged one of the most iconic cinematic adaptations in history—The Godfather (1972). Set against the intricate backdrop of the Mafia underworld, the film brought to life the complex power dynamics of the Corleone crime family. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, the adaptation garnered critical acclaim and went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Marlon Brando delivered a legendary performance as Don Vito Corleone, silencing critics and redefining the archetype of the powerful yet enigmatic patriarch. At the heart of the story is Vito’s son, Michael Corleone, portrayed by Al Pacino—a man intent on distancing himself from the family’s criminal legacy. However, when he returns for his sister’s wedding, the weight of family loyalty and obligation begins to pull him into the world he hoped to escape. As Michael grapples with his identity and inheritance, he ultimately succumbs to the cycle of power, taking his father’s place and transforming into a formidable Mafia leader, torn between duty and his longing for a simpler life.
The Godfather trilogy has left an enduring legacy, shaping generations of filmmakers and embedding itself into popular culture through unforgettable quotes, masterful cinematography, and outstanding performances. Mario Puzo, who co-wrote the screenplay with Coppola, helped translate his literary vision into a cinematic masterpiece. The Godfather remains a timeless work of art—often considered the cinematic equivalent of great literature—and continues to inspire and influence storytelling across the globe.
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Normal People
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Directed by Lenny Abrahamson and Hettie Macdonald, Normal People is a critically acclaimed television adaptation of Sally Rooney’s 2018 novel of the same name. Starring Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones in the lead roles, the series became a cultural phenomenon, breaking records in both the UK and Ireland with over 2.5 million viewers. Garnering seven BAFTA nominations, it is widely regarded as one of the most successful and faithful book-to-screen adaptations in recent years.
The story follows the nuanced and evolving bond between Connell (Mescal) and Marianne (Edgar-Jones), capturing the emotional subtleties and unspoken connections that set their relationship apart from all others. The series excels at portraying the internal struggles and intimate moments that define their connection, thanks to masterful direction and breathtaking cinematography that vividly brings their inner worlds to life.
At the heart of Normal People is the theme of miscommunication and emotional vulnerability. These flaws, far from weakening their relationship, form the core of its authenticity and depth. While the script makes some necessary adjustments for the screen, it retains the raw emotional intensity and passion of Rooney’s prose. Viewers familiar with the novel may gain a deeper understanding of certain character nuances, but the series stands strong on its own as a companion piece to the book.
Ultimately, Normal People proves how powerful a screen adaptation can be when it honors the spirit of its source material. The final scene—quiet, heartbreaking, and profound—cements the series as a deeply moving exploration of love, identity, and the complexity of human connection.
(The writer is an intern with The Indian Express.)
