“Black Girls Read Too” on Facebook might be the only reason I login to that website from time to time. The group page sparked my interest in The Perfect Find, book and movie adaption. Due to Tia Williams’ growing popularity and in anticipation for the Netflix movie, wait times for the book from my preferred sources (Libby, Hoopla, Library) were extremely long. So, ultimately I decided to watch the movie first.
Before the first official trailer was even released, the complaints about casting were coming in. As a big Gabrielle Union fan I couldn’t quite understand all the hate. Then, the movie came out – more and more bad reviews were coming out. Book lovers always feel like something is rushed or missing etc. But the reviews I saw were overwhelmingly agreeing that the movie was all bad.
Personally, I watched the movie without any bias. It was easy to do because I hadn’t read the book yet. Before I yelled into the abyss that not everything can be a mini-series people! I patiently waited for the novel to be available and get to me via inter library loan. After staying up until 4am to finish reading I must say I do understand why so many fans had something to say about the movie. However, I think I can now fairly assess the movie compared to the book.
I found that the movie mostly kept true to what made the characters who they are. Obviously they updated some things for a more modern landscape, but it ultimately follows a fallen from grace beauty editor that has to beg for a job from her nemesis, who happens to be a CEO of a successful beauty media outlet. The respect for old-school Hollywood and Nina Mae McKinney is just as strong in the movie as it is in the book. The quirky one liners and the banter is stripped right from the book into the movie as well. My favorite scene in the movie ended up being true to the book – the dinner party scene had me both cracking up and feeling spicy while reading as well as watching it on screen.
I saw one instagram comment critique that the cab scene happened too soon, I have to disagree. It happens in Chapter 8 of the book. That’s pretty soon. I wonder if people bothered to read the book again before the movie or if they were just making comments off of when they first read the book years ago – you can’t trust that opinion.
And as I continued to read I realized it wasn’t so much that Gabrielle and Keith didn’t have chemistry, it was that Jenna & Eric had a deep lust and love that were coming alive from the pages of the book and you wanted to see it as deep on screen. I don’t know what two actors could accurately display that deepness of both emotions. Jenna & Eric needed each other, they were in each other’s bones. I believe Gabrielle & Keith had a lot of chemistry from the first party scene to the small touches they shared at photoshoots.
The movie gave romantic comedy and cheesy. I gather the audience was looking for a more desperate longing and dramatic type of movie. I agree that based on how deep the relationship was felt there could have been more time spent on that. As I read the book I felt a desire to have someone know me by heart and when I watched the book I felt a desire to just be excited about love again. I found The Perfect Find to be an engaging and entertaining love story in both formats.
A difference that I personally felt when reading the story vs. watching it was more of a relatability to Jenna. There were aspects of her personality that I could identify with that weren’t necessarily present during the movie. It wasn’t just that she was having to get back to her career and prove herself – it was the doubt and wonder on whether that part of her career was what she wanted. Can the depth of all these complex emotions be explored in a movie? Not sure that was even the vibe for a Netflix romantic comedy movie that wasn’t even a full two hours (although, I would have enjoyed a full two hours with these characters and this story overall).
Funnily enough, I found Darcy from the book worse than in the movie. At least Gina Torres’ portrayal of Darcy provided some comedy. The Darcy in the book was downright nasty. She was beyond cut throat and I couldn’t believe some of her actions towards her own son.
I have complicated feelings about the ending. I felt like the movie definitely went into a more socially accepted narrative. I don’t want to give anything away but the major event at the end was the same but the response that Jenna had was different. I think I agree with how the book ended more – but I guess it could be argued that the right way to go about it was the way that the movie ended.
I see the pros and cons of the movie adaptation. Overall, I just can’t hate this movie. Was the book more complex and passionate in some ways? Yes. But, say what you will, the movie still got me excited about love and I think it is the perfect Rom-com for a Saturday movie night in.
The Bootleg Book Club 