The Art of Adaptation: From Page to Film

I've been meaning to post about the world of film adaptation for a while now. The art of adaptation is something that I find very interesting especially when involving those that are less literal versions of their derivative work. Please take note that when I say "less literal", I do not refer to elision, where less vital plot points are omitted for the sake of conciseness, but rather when a derivative work is used a basis for a new story. Literal adaptations tend to be more ridged; they allow for less creative experimentation.


What I consider to be the perfect example literal adaptation's creative expression would be the Cohen brothers' film O Brother, Where Art Thou?. Based on the classic Homer epic The Odyssey, the film is loosely satirical and set in Depression-era Mississippi. This is a gem of a film; its amazing to see the how the many villains that appear in the classic original are transformed to fit the film's storyline. It takes a little bit of genius (at least!) to be able to take an ancient story and adapt it so perfectly for a modern context and with such finesse...what what else is to be expected when you're talking about the Cohen's?

...Oh, and the soundtrack is amazing!