Books conjure vivid imagery in the minds of readers and offer them with scenes, ideas and thoughts, which they carry with them forever. It is thus all the more thrilling when one’s favourite book is turned into a motion picture. 2021 is a year when many such book-to-film adaptations promise to amaze audiences worldwide. With movies like The Mauritanian, White Tiger and The Dig already released, Platform presents a list of the most anticipated releases yet to come.
Fatherhood
Based on the 2011 memoir Two Kisses For Maddy: A Memoir or Loss and Love by Matthew Longelin, this film starring Kevin Hart as the lead is set to release in June 2021. The story traces the tragic loss of Matthew’s wife just 27 hours after the birth of their daughter. Matthew and his wife met in high school and were together for 13 years. Chronicling their love story, Matthew claims he wants his daughter Madeline to know her mother Liz through these words. Writing a blog and eventually this memoir became an outlet for Matthew’s grief, as he tries to navigate the new and terrifying journey. As his blog garners attention, he gains support from strangers who step up to help in whatever way they can. Fatherhood promises to be a riveting take on love, loss and sheer perseverance of a father for his daughter.
Blonde
Joyce Carol Oates wrote Blonde, a historical novel based on the life of the beloved star Marilyn Monroe. Although, Oates has insisted that the novel is a work of fiction and should not be regarded as a biography. Oates tells the story of Norma Jeane Baker, who was passed around the foster care system after the death of both her alcoholic grandmother, who was her primary caretaker, and her mother, who was absent from Norma’s childhood. Marriage and divorce became a regular part of Norma Jeane’s life, even as she launched her career as a pinup model, eventually bagging a film role at the age of 21. Thus rose Marilyn Monroe as we know her to be today. The film promises to trace her journey and struggles with alcohol and drug addiction, which ran parallel to her many love affairs with influential men. Monroe leaves a thrilling legacy of surviving during wartime America, to emerge as one of the greatest icons in history.
House of Gucci
The title of The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour and Greed says it all. This incredibly well-researched book delves into the murder of Maurizio Gucci, who was shot dead on 27 March 1995. The heir to one of the most sought after and reputed fashion empires was accused of splurging money frivolously, endangering Gucci’s finances. The glitz, glamour and ultimately, the dramatic demise of the fashion mogul is explored in the film adaptation of the novel. The already gripping and intriguing story is further brought to life by an amazing cast of Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Al Pacino, Jared Leto and Jack Huston, among other highly acclaimed actors. Gaga powerfully portrays Gucci’s ex-wife Patrizia Reggiani, nicknamed ‘The Black Widow’, who was sentence to 29 years in prison for allegedly arranging his murder. The story of Gucci is one of ‘the rise, near fall and subsequent resurgence of a fashion dynasty’, which promises to excite, and draw the audience in. The action and drama fuelled biographical crime film releasing late 2021, is certainly one to watch out for.
Death on the Nile
Agatha Christie comes to life once again on screen, this time with her mystery novel Death on the Nile being adapted to film. Poirot returns as the audience tries to solve yet another murder alongside him. Socialite Linnet Ridgeway Doyle is shot on a cruise and it is up to Poirot to riddle out who the killer is among the many suspects, which includes a jealous ex-fiancé. Christie provides just enough clues to the reader, and red herrings abound as the plot thickens with suspense. Thrilling action forces a rush of adrenaline in the audience which keeps them gripped and enthralled. With a star cast of Kenneth Branagh, Gal Gadot and Emma Mackey, among others, the film is one of the most awaited movies to watch in 2021.
Cherry
The novel by Nico Walker of the same name is a fictionalised autobiography, as he writes from prison. The unnamed narrator dispassionately recounts the events of his life — falling in love, dropping out of college, getting hastily married, enlisting in the army and falling to drugs. Interjected with dark humour, the novel discusses the opioid crisis as it swept the Midwest. The Iraqi War Veteran struggling with PTSD eventually turns to the only thing he thinks he would be good at — robbing banks. The depiction of events may be unsettling but they reveal the well hidden secret of the drug crisis in America. The film adaptation features Tom Holland as the lead, who is simply trying to find his place in the world and do right by the woman he loves. Directed by the Russo Brothers, the film is coming to OTT platforms this month.