On the day May 22, 2019, I went to the movies during the afternoon and watched The Sun is also a Star. Since none of the people in my life know the importance of this movie to me since I read the book, no one was interested in seeing the movie with me (not even my mom who was a book geek like me but she likes fantasy more). So I went to the movies by myself and even had the whole theater to myself. In all, I enjoyed the movie. It was cute and a little funny sometimes and if you’re willing to ignore the missing stuff from the book in the movie, it’s basically another cute contemporary movie about love and finding it in the unexpected places.
Hope you don’t mind some minor spoilers and this very long post.
Although the movie didn’t stick entirely to the book like Daniel’s long hair, his red tie, the back story of the side characters, and even the ending, I still enjoyed it. I watched interviews of Charles Melton and Yara Shadihi, the two main characters that play Natasha and Daniel, and they’re so adorable!
Also did you guys know Daniel is 28? He looks so young! I swear those Asian genes are something else!
If someone didn’t read the book, they would see it as another romantic teen movie but as a reader and someone who read the book, I can see why people didn’t enjoy it and I’ll start why.
Aside from the minor stuff like Daniel’s hair and tie…
WHERE WERE THE SIDE CHARACTERS IN THE MOVIE?
WHERE WAS IRENE STORY? WHERE WAS NATASHA’S DAD STORY? WHERE WAS THE GUY FROM THE IMMIGRATION OFFICE GUY STORY?
AND THAT ENDING?!
The part that bugged the most was not having the side character’s story! Especially Irene’s! The point of their stories in the books is to show how our actions can have an affect on someone’s lives, even if it’s the smallest thing, it can cause a shift. That’s the point of Irene story and how Natasha examining her phone at the security place a little longer than usual is the reason how she met Daniel! Natasha’s simple “thank you” to Irene saved her life! And even that immigration guy that was supposed to be Natasha’s last hope stupid decision to miss the thing with the judge because of his adulterous decisions!
They didn’t even show Natasha’s dad background story and I’m not even sure they even stated why they’re being deported. They barely even show that big argument between Natasha and her dad.
It’s those things that makes the story real in the book and that’s why it would seem like another cheesy teen romance movie to someone with no knowledge of the book.
SERIOUSLY NO IRENE!?!?!
IRENE IS THE REASON DANIEL AND NATASHA MET!
SHE’S THE ONE THAT SET IT OFF! WORD TO LIL BOOSIE!
Like how can you not put that in the movie? I simply do not get it. Maybe Irene attempting suicide could be triggering and looks dark to the audience but if people can read it on the book then I’m pretty sure it’s no problem looking at it on film.
This film could’ve been so much more if they would just add the small stuff that made the book so good. Really those small things like Irene, Natasha’s father, and even the waitress at the Korean restaurant is what made the story.
This is one of the reason why I strongly dislike book-to-movie adaptions. When you read the book, you know everyone’s thoughts and feelings. So as a reader, when you watch the movie, you know what the character’s are thinking and experiencing but for someone who didn’t read the book, they wouldn’t understand and watching as a movie critic. It’s just another cheesy love story when the reader in me knows it’s really not.
I really loved the book and I wish they would just stick to the words on the pages but who knows maybe they didn’t have the budget but aside from my frustrations, I enjoyed the movie.
I love the scene where Daniel takes Natasha to his family beauty supply shop and seeing all the haircare products made me so happy. If you didn’t know I’m a black girl with big curly hair and seeing all the natural hair brands made me so happy. Also the argument between Daniel and his brother was hilarious. Also even though the museum part in the movie wasn’t in the book, I think that scene was pretty cute.
The movie wasn’t entirely horrible, like I said it was another cheesy teen romance. If I were to rate the movie, it would be three and a half stars.
Thanks for reading!
bad and bookish 