JENNIFER PLATT | It can never be as good as the book. Except sometimes
A number of TV shows are proving to be the exception to this groaner, among them ‘Sweet Magnolias’ and ‘Bridgerton’
I picture Agatha Christie turning, twisting, flipping over and cursing in her grave. Her 1937 novel Death on the Nile has been made into a film — produced, directed and starring Kenneth Branagh as the celebrated detective Hercule Poirot — and it’s simply awful. I knew it would be after his lame attempt at Murder on the Orient Express in 2017, though Death has proven to be much worse. To me, Poirot, though he has many faults, is not as unlikeable as Branagh’s portrayal of him. Maybe I just don’t like the actor. But it’s the age-old, tired groaner: the movie can never be as good as the book. This is mostly true, but TV shows are demonstrating they can be the exception. ..
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