Ranch Librarian Reading Challenge: Viewing Update, 11.22.63 on Hulu and Philomena on Netflix

Last week, I finished watching 11.22.63 on Hulu with Hubster, and this past weekend, we sat down to watch Philomena.

Naturally, since I reviewed both books that these films were based on, I feel the need to review the shows as well!

If you know me, then you know that my common mantra is "the book is always better than the movie," which I would stay is still true her. But that being said, both shows were great, and neither of them disappointed in their storytelling!

11.22.63 on Hulu

James Franco and Sarah Gadon star as Jake and Sadie in the
screen adaptation of Stephen King's time-bending adventure
11.22.63.

First of all, I have to say that this mini-series had a few things going for it right up front: first, it's a JJ Abrams; second, the author (Stephen King) was very involved in its creation; and third, it's a novel, turned into an eight-part mini series. 

Those are all good things!

To start, I have been a JJ Abrams fan since he created Alias, a TV show that I absolutely LOVE. His career has been on an upward trajectory for several years now, as he's created films like Super 8 and the newest Star Wars film. What can I say other than I feel like his work is excellent? 

Whenever the author of the novel is involved in the creation of a TV show or film, I always feel better about how the final product will turn out. There's something about the author's presence that seems to help keep the essence of the story the same, even if some of the details are changed. 

Even though there are some deviations from the novel in the mini-series, the basics are the same, and there are even some great moments from the page that play out endearingly on the screen. And for King fans, there are even a few Easter eggs hidden throughout the series, such as a cleverly placed "redrum" that you'll miss if you aren't paying attention. 

For the last point, I have to say that I love when they turn novels into mini-series, rather than just films. In my alternate universe, they would have made EACH Harry Potter film into a mini-series. That way, instead of eight movies, we would have had hours and hours of a series to watch!!!! But I digress...

Personally, I feel strongly that films are really best suited when they are based on short stories, and TV shows or mini-series serve a novel better. Novels are long and detailed, and this longer form of story-telling allows for more intricate details and plot lines to play out. 

Over the course of the eight episodes in the series, you really get to know the plot details of the story, as well as the characters, and builds up the most breath-taking suspense by the time you finally get to the big moment: 11.22.63. 

Overall, the mini-series is well-worth the watch, particularly if you have taken time to read the novel as well. And while there are definitely creative deviations from the novel to serve the purpose of the TV series, the essence is the same, leading the watcher to ask the big question: what would happen if you could go back and change the past? 

Philomena on Netflix

Dame Judi Dench and Steve Coogan star in the film
adaptation of Philomena. 

First of all, can I just ask: how can you not love a film that Dame Judi Dench stars in?

She is amazing. Truly.

And this is an incredible true story too, so even better.

What was interesting to me about Philomena, particularly after just reading the book, was how different the two were.

Not the story though. No, the story is the same. But the perspective of the two mediums was very different.

The book begins with Philomena's story: a young woman in the 50s, pregnant out of wedlock, sent to the convent to give birth to a baby boy that was later taken from her. It then follows the story of her son, Michael, who was adopted by a family in the United States. The book circles back to Philomena only at the very end, telling very little of the actual nuts and bolts story of tracking down her long lost son.

The film, on the other hand, begins with the writer, Martin Sixsmith, being approached by Philomena's daughter to help find her lost son. And the film unfolds from there as they search, from England to Ireland to the United States, trying to find closure for Philomena.

It was fascinating to see the two perspectives of the story told in two different ways, and I felt like they complimented one another nicely. You get a different side to the story from each, and that comes together to give you a more complete understanding of what happened.

Conclusion

Both are totally worth watching!!! 

Of course, as a Librarian, I recommend that you take the time to read the books first, then take the time to see the films. 

But take this as a warning: make sure to have kleenex handy for the ending of each; you'll need them.