Plot:
There are some differences in the plot of the book and the plot and timeline of the movie. For instance, some parts of the story’s timeline are different. Conversations between Chris and Gordie about writing are taken place at different times in the movie. The milk money incident and the story about Lardass are in different places as well. In the movie, after the journey is over it goes straight to Gordie as an adult, but in the book there are more events that occur after the journey. The book describes what happen when the boys go back to their homes; also, the book tells about an incident between Gordie and Ace. Afterwards, Gordie doesn’t turn him in. All of these instances are relevant and contribute to either the movie or the book.
Point of View:
The book is told by Gordie alone, so the point of view is totally different from the movie. The movie has more dialogue then the book. If the movie was told just like the book, the movie would be boring and uninteresting. In the movie, we are able to fully feel the boys' emotions as they happen. For example Tebby in the movie cries after his mentally disabled father is made fun of. If someone reads just the first two pages of the novel they can tell there is little dialogue, and that Gordie tells most of the story. The more emotions in a piece of work the better it is, which is why the movie could be considered more in depth.
Characterization:
Instead of the short story Stud City being in the movie, two flashbacks are added. Gordie has to deal with the thought of his brother being killed throughout both the movie and book. However, the flashbacks added in the movie show a difference in the relationship between Gordie and Denny. One of the scenes that is added is Gordie remembering his brother Denny giving him a baseball cap from his brother, which means a lot to Denny. A scene of a family dinner is also added. Gordie is basically ignored by his father and mother, and all of the attention is on Denny. It shows the viewer that Gordie is constantly ignored from his parents, and he isn’t important to them. In addition to the scenes that are added, the movie emphasizes Gordie and Denny’s relationship. They are extremely close in the movie, but in the book it’s not the same.
Setting:
The setting in the movie was extremely similar to the book. The movie producers did a great job of matching the two. However, there is one little difference of the two, and that is the movie is in Oregon, while the book is in Maine. The tree house, the train tracks, and the outdoors are the same in both. The reader or viewer can read and see the setting as a small town, and then the great outdoors. With that being said, there are no major differences from the two in the setting aspect.
Theme:
The movie theme and the book theme are the same throughout both pieces of work. Friendship is everything and the most important thing. In both the movie and book, the four boys are always comforting each other and protecting each other. The most noticeable example of this is Chris always looking after Gordie. Gordie’s writing career is brought up on several occasions. In each of the occasions, Chris encourages Gordie and says that he will be a great writer. Today, just like in the past, friends are everything. They are someone to bond with, talk with, and someone who has your back. Chris and Gordie are the best example for these traits, which can be seen in both the movie and book.
