The Ending

[Rudeboy2025]

Anyone disappointed about how they changed the ending from the book? I thought that the movie overall was a pretty good - well directed and great performances by McKellen and Renfro, but I just liked the book ending more.

[karend3]

I was highly disappointed in the movie.

[JRLauer]

I don't know if I can say the I was disappointed in the ending but I was surprised.

[Albie]

Anyone disappointed about how they changed the ending from the book? I thought that the movie overall was a pretty good - well directed and great performances by McKellen and Renfro, but I just liked the book ending more.

I just saw the movie on local Fox channel. The movie had to make too many compromises to fit it in the less then 2 hr format. I think it would be very difficult to make a movie that followed the book in less than 4 hours.

I didn't like the book. Felt the animal cruelty was not needed for the plot. I also found nothing to like about either main character. I would not recommend nouvella nor movie.

[Mr. Palmer]

I enjoy both the film and book.

As for the different ending in the film? I really liked it. It gave me one of those insane chuckles.

[rosetat49]

Read the story while I was on vacation then when the movie was on tv I thought WOW!! then was dissappointed! It was a good movie for someone who had not read the book, but just wasn't what I was expecting, bummer!

[Sandman]

I remember the ending of the book but not the movie...what was the difference? was it just him talking to his guidence councler?

[lilydust76]

I have to agree. I saw the movie before I read the book. Love Ian McKellan, as a general rule, and he was great in this. I have to say, I like the ending in the book better.

[aptpupil]

Well, I thought that it was okay.

Obviously, they had to run it by me before the changes could be made, though. :cool2:

[~Ally~]

Well, I thought that it was okay.

Obviously, they had to run it by me before the changes could be made, though. :cool2:

Surely if they ran it by you that would amount to it being a stupendously magnificent ending? (Does my sarcasm emanate well over the internets? ;))

I enjoyed both the book and the movie. There will always be differences between the two, no matter what story is being adapted.
I find it's often best not to compare a movie with the original written word as disappointment is usually guaranteed.

[Seb Shaw]

Very true there ally88, i have not yet read the book, nor do i have it in my possession but i thought the movie was great

[NeuralDefekt]

The short story is one of my favourites and I really rather enjoyed the movie aswell. As for the ending, I can say that I lovedthe one in the book but I thought the movie's ending was quite well suited in its own way. I wasn't disappointed by it really, I just preferred the book ending.

- ND

[smashingblouse]

I didn't like the book. Felt the animal cruelty was not needed for the plot. I also found nothing to like about either main character. I would not recommend nouvella nor movie.

Out of curiousity, must you like the main character to enjoy a book? I hated them both, but I loved this story and would highly recommend it. As for the animal cruelty thing, I think it was effective in showing the true evil of this kid and I would argue that it is very essential. I mean, that is the classic sign of a future serial killer, isn't it? Don't the profilers look at that as a sign? To me, that's like saying murders aren't needed in The Godfather?

[vivazebool]

If Tarantino were to have written the screenplay and directed "Apt Pupil," he would have had the balls to have Todd shoot the Kedman, then go shoot up people on the freeway before the cops took him down. It would have gritty, just like the story.

[michal]

I'm with you on that. I preferred the book's ending. But I also agree with some of the comments here: I think the acting and casting was great and it's a movie that I remember well even though it's been years since I've seen it last.

[Teddy Duchamp]

If Tarantino were to have written the screenplay and directed "Apt Pupil," he would have had the balls to have Todd shoot the Kedman, then go shoot up people on the freeway before the cops took him down. It would have gritty, just like the story.

Got to agree with you. To say I "loved" the book would be a lie - I was glued to the story with horrified fascination. And yes I feel you can hate the characters yet still gel with the story.

The movie was SUCH a disappointment. I dont like to see gratuitous violence for the sake of it, but the movie dodged away from anything "too" much, which, in my opinion completely destroyed the point of the story - it was EVIL not evil.

[SeventhSinger]

I'd have to say that i enjoyed the ending to the book better than that of the movie. It left more to imagine. I also found the character development to be better in the written form than that of the movie.

Not to bash the movie, the casting and acting were great and the directing was well done. I still prefer the book, as is typically the case for me, over the movie.

[cheech721]

I thought the movie was pretty good... In a way the different ending was nice because it wasn't expected, but the book ending was better.

[Seb Shaw]

I thought the movie was fab, (I have also read the novella now) The acting was great, what a fantastic chemastry they had together. I have to be honest here, I really enjoyed BOTH endings, the movie ending was a typical Hollywood ending, too scared to offend anyone. The Novella ending, well that's just harrowing.

Just a thught here, did King suggest to change the movie ending, because of what happend with 'Rage'?

[Homer403]

I thought the movie was great! The ending completely surprised me though.I prefer the written ending.As I sat watching the movie and the end was near I was waiting for the big grand finale.....which didn't happen.Too bad it was left out.I think it was a very significant part of the story!