The Casual Vacancy- BBC One Sunday 15th February 9pm
anyonefortennis
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I can't believe that the BBC has changed the ending of the TV adaptation of JK Rowlings 'A Casual Vacancy' deeming the conclusion of the Harry Potter writer's debut adult novel 'too grim' for Sunday night TV.
Scriptwriter Sarah Phelps said she had got in touch with Rowling to explain. “It’s still heartbreaking, but I had to find some kind of redemptive moment at the end of it all... what works in a novel doesn’t always work on screen. Nobody wants a finger wagged in their face, and I learnt on EastEnders that if you just go ‘grim, grim, grim’, viewers will simply disengage.” So her experience writing for a soap gives her an insight into what every viewer in the land wants to see ? How very patronising and insulting to viewers and to JK Rowling.
Scriptwriter Sarah Phelps said she had got in touch with Rowling to explain. “It’s still heartbreaking, but I had to find some kind of redemptive moment at the end of it all... what works in a novel doesn’t always work on screen. Nobody wants a finger wagged in their face, and I learnt on EastEnders that if you just go ‘grim, grim, grim’, viewers will simply disengage.” So her experience writing for a soap gives her an insight into what every viewer in the land wants to see ? How very patronising and insulting to viewers and to JK Rowling.
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It does seem very weird. I'm surprised Rowling agreed to this. And Eastenders is hardly a laugh a minute. If you look up the word grim in the dictionary there is probably a reference to Eastenders in there.
I haven't read it either, I tried to but just couldn't get into it. I'll probably read it after the TV series so I have a mental picture of who all the characters are, and also to compare the endings. I've been quite eager to watch this as I love keeley Hawes and Rory Kinnear! I've really enjoyed Sarah Phelps' Dickens adaptations over the years and she changed the ending of Great Expectations quite a bit so I've got high hopes for this.
So she hasn't changed the tone of the ending completely, and I imagine when it comes to it we'll see people were making a fuss over nothing.
Having your work re-written is par for the course as far as screen writers or novelists are concerned.
JK Rowling, probably isn't in much of a position to moan too much either, She might be well known, but she's got no track record in turning adult fiction into TV/Film gold.
The BBC were probably the least worst option.
Phelps unlike Rowling is a professional talented writer, all she has done is polish a stinking turd, added glitter to make it more appealing.
Rubbish boring book.
Sorry, but what do you mean by "polarizing"?
JK is an excelent author when writing about wizards with the initials HP, but a socially responsive tale of whatever for adults.. Maybe not.
The mystery novel she did under a pseudonym, which escapes at the moment, is to be adapted too, which frankly I hope they also change the end... And the beginning ..... And the Middle bit as well cos there are many mysteries novels out there that are immeasurably superior, but because everyone actually knows it's JK, it is bound to be a super smash with the GBP. I am not holding my breath.
I'm not sure if you mean that the title or the pseudonym escapes you (possibly both) but for clarification purposes the novel is entitled The Cuckoo's Calling and the pseudonym is Robert Galbraith. And there is now a second in that series, entitled The Silkworm, and she intends to write more.
Personally, I really, really like JK Rowling as a writer. I was a massive Harry Potter buff, but I really enjoyed The Casual Vacancy and am really enjoying the new Cormoran Strike novels. I'm also really looking forward to seeing the TV adaptations of both of them. I can't see exactly why people complain so much about Rowling's work since Harry Potter. I feel like with Harry Potter, she set herself an unbeatable standard, and whatever she wrote after that was bound to attract criticism. Her revelation as the author of The Cuckoo's Calling certainly got more people buying it, but before people knew it was her the reviews were really positive - far more positive than they were for The Casual Vacancy, which she was open about having written from the beginning.
Personally, I try to go into each book not expecting anything, not comparing it with anything previously that that author has done, just trying to engage with the characters and plotlines. And I can safely say that Rowling has done that to me with every single one of her books, Harry Potter-themed or otherwise.
Going back onto the subject, I'm really looking forward to seeing this TV series. The cast excites me a lot. I do wonder how they'll manage to fit such a massive novel into only three episodes, but I'm going in with an open mind, and will try not to complain every time a minor change is made.
Which reminds me, anyone tape Tipping The Velvet off Drama?
I read the Cuckoos Calling with keen anticipation, the thought of a genre I was keen on in the hands of such an acclaimed author (nom de plume or not), quite enthused me.
Boy did I learn my mistake fast, clumsy plot, cliched characters verging on characateurs, mystery novel by numbers, would be the most polite description. BUT it's out its JK, so the Beeb is just wetting itself to make it into a telly series. Whoop de whoop
Fixed !!:D
I didn't imagine Gambon as Mollison, he seems a strange casting choice although he is an excellent actor.
I'll watch it tonight, but I know I'll probably get annoyed by the differences between the book and TV show. I recently re-read it for a second time as I wanted a refresher before the TV show started. However, I'm now wondering if that was a good idea, as I'm probably too familiar with it now!
I'm sure that the wonderful Richard Griffiths would have been offered the part had he not sadly passed away. I can really imagine him in the role.
I hope that the change of ending involves the place where it ends and not major plot points. I don't want to spoil anything for those who haven't read it, but there are certain bits that would be brutal if changed.
You're spot on. He would have played Howard Mollison exactly as I picture him.
I'm sure Michael Gambon will do a good job, but I agree with others that it does seem a strange casting choice.