5 Movies for Burnt Out Readers
Rediscovery your love of storytelling
This year, the Full Snow Moon aligns with Valentine’s Day and Galentine’s Day. What better way to celebrate than by crafting bookmarks with friends, playing a game of literary icebreakers, and enjoying a delicious treat? Add in cozying up with a book inspired movie and you have yourself the perfect craft date.
Is there anything more gratifying than a movie that captures the true nature of our favorite literary works? It’s such a rarity, that I would not begin to place this list in that category. However, in my humble opinion, each of these films possesses its own unique merits—through stunning visuals, fresh interpretations, and the ability to evoke the same emotions we felt when reading the original text.
But beyond their artistic value, these films offer something even more important: an opportunity to reconnect—with others and with our own love of storytelling. Watching a beloved story unfold on screen, whether it’s a romance, a tragedy, or a historical drama, becomes even more meaningful when shared with others. There’s something special about curling up with loved ones, engaging in lively debates over character choices, or simply getting lost in a beautifully crafted world together.
After college, I was so burned out from reading dense textbooks that I never wanted to pick up a book again. The joy I once found in reading had been replaced with exhaustion, and for years, I hardly read anything for pleasure. But recently, I decided to revisit a childhood favorite—The Great Good Thing—and something shifted. I felt that spark again, that deep immersion in a story that makes the world disappear for a little while. It reminded me why I fell in love with books in the first place.
Film adaptations, even when imperfect, can offer the same rediscovery. They can reignite a love of storytelling, reminding us of characters and themes we once cherished and perhaps inspiring us to turn back to the written word. And in a world that often pushes productivity over presence, taking time to enjoy a film with friends or family is an act of self-care. Laughter, emotional release, and even a friendly disagreement over a director’s choices can strengthen our bonds and improve our well-being.
So, while these adaptations may not be perfect reflections of their source material, they do what the best stories always have: bring us together, inspire reflection, and remind us of the joy found in simply being present—with a book, with a film, and with the people we love.
Marie Antoinette (2006)
Moods: indulgent, lonely, tragic
Sophia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette is based on the 2001 biography Marie Antoinette: The Journey by Antonia Fraser. The sympathetic lens of the film explores the infamous Marie Antoinette’s rise to royalty, her lavish lifestyle, and the turmoil leading to the French Revolution. Kirsten Dunst shines as the dauphine, bringing vulnerability and charm to a young woman navigating political pressure and personal isolation. Straying only briefly from the source material, it’s a unique blend of history and pop culture vibes.
Wuthering Heights (2011)
Moods: pensive, brooding, yearning
A stripped down take on Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights the film features a stark lack of cinematic pans and epic soundtracks, leaving the audience with no queues from emotional response. The nature and relationships of each character are only revealed through close attention paid in due time. Set against the backdrop of the English moors, this movie adaptation delves into the tumultuous relationship between Heathcliff (James Howson), an orphan brought into the Earnshaw family, and Catherine (Kaya Scodelario), the family’s spirited daughter. Director Andrea Arnold's reimagining of the classic stays true to the book's spirit wielding unconventional approaches to exploring the underlying themes.
The Color Purple (2023)
Moods: injustice, sorrow, retribution
A deeply moving adaptation of Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, this musical remake of the 1985 classic tells the story of Celie, a young African American woman in the early 1900s, who endures abuse, separation, and heartbreak while discovering her own strength and identity. Finding solace in small kindnesses from acquaintances turned friends, Celie discover her inner strength through the support of the women around her and the desire to reunite with her sister. Featuring powerful performances by Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, the film is a poignant tale of resilience, sisterhood, and the triumph of the human spirit. A must-watch for lovers of emotional, character-driven dramas.
Emma (2020)
Moods: brazen, flirty, pretentious
A cautionary tale of a fish grown too large for its pond. Jane Austen’s Emma is reimagined in this stylish adaptation, filled with humor, romance, and cutting social commentary. Dulled by consistently being let off the hook, Emma Woodhouse (Anya Taylor-Joy) seeks amusement in meddling in the affairs of others. Emma goes as far as jeopardizing the happiness of her dear friend Harriet(Mia Goth). After several lessons in humility, Emma finally finds direction in her life. Replacing original themes with modern charm, this Autumn De Wilde’s version of Emma cleverly retells Austen’s exploration of love, class, and self-awareness.
The Secret Garden (1993)
Moods: curious, imaginative, innocent
This beloved adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden captures the timeless narrative of healing, resilience, and transformation with stunning cinematography and heartfelt performances. Agnieszka Holland’s take on the story, follows Mary Lennox (Kate Maberly), a young orphan sent to live with her reclusive uncle in his bleak and mysterious estate. While exploring the grounds, against the orders of Mrs. Medlock (Maggie Smith), Mary discovers a hidden, neglected garden that becomes a sanctuary of growth and renewal. I’ll admit, this version is pure nostalgia for me, that being said there are some scenes that did not stand the test of time. Fortunately there have been many adaptations through the years.
Did I miss any that should be on the list? Let me know!
Up Next:
The Worm Moon, March 14th. Make sure you subscribe for the next cycle of aligning ourselves with the natural world!