Really Good, or Really, Really Bad
Want to know why the film of Before I Go to Sleep makes me cringe? (Hint: it's not what you think)
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In 2014 my first book, Before I Go to Sleep, was turned into a film. I mean, it was a longer process than that sentence implies, it wasn’t turned into a film in the same way that ice turns into water or night turns into day. It involved many, many hours of work by many, many very talented people. But still, basically, a film was made, which was based on a book that I wrote.
It’s strange, but I’m weirdly embarrassed about the film now.
It’s strange, but I’m weirdly embarrassed about it now. Not the film itself. Although there’s a clause in film deal I signed specifically stating that I’m only allowed to say nice things about it, and I’m therefore contractually obligated to tell people I like it, that’s okay because I do. Luckily. I mean, were that not the case I’d almost feel tempted to start going around telling people just how terrible I thought it was, just to see how quickly Nicole Kidman’s lawyers swoop in to do whatever it is that lawyers do when someone’s in breach of contract. But no, no need to do that, ether here or in the pub next Wednesday. Because I do like it. Okay? I DO. Love it, in fact. I think director/writer Rowan Joffe and producer Liza Marshall did a great job. Respectful to my book and the story, but expanding it and telling it in their own way. To me it’s like a cover version of the novel — the same melody but played on different instruments and with a different tempo. An S Club 7 song covered by The Rolling Stones? Something like that. And who wouldn’t want to see what a bunch of supremely talented people can do with a story they wrote?
But I am sometimes embarrassed — not by the film’s qualities, but by its very existence. Usually when making a new acquaintance. The conversation will go something like this: