Classic literature has long served as inspiration for artists in different fields, and the world of cinema is no exception. The intersection of classic elements and modern twists helps pay homage to literary masterpieces while weaving in the ever-evolving landscape of the modern world. Films based on classic literature help “revive” classic literary works and introduce them to new generations forthcoming. In a way, we get the best of both worlds.
Universal themes such as identity, power, and love gain new significance and resonance when adapted for the screen in a contemporary setting. Through the skilled integration of modern themes into classic storylines, filmmakers enable viewers to make connections between the past and present. The chance to examine various viewpoints and opinions is among the most fascinating parts of adapting classic literature for the big screen in contemporary film. In order to provide a more inclusive portrayal of the human experience, filmmakers have taken advantage of artistic freedom in reimagining characters and stories.
Exploring films that were surprisingly based on well-known literary works, Amy Heckerling’s “Clueless” is strikingly similar to the plot of Jane Austen’s “Emma,” with characters that mirror each other and a similar story progression. In the film, Cher, a live wire and overachiever living with her father, is popular and well regarded among her high school classmates and members of community. Her character shows audiences a reimagination of Emma as a spunky 16 year old girl living in Beverly Hills during the 90s.
Loosely based on William Shakespeare’s “Taming Of The Shrew,” the stage for teen rom-com “10 Things I Hate About you follows” is set to a similar plot, where a “shrewish” young woman is “tamed” into being a good wife, all while her younger sister is constantly pursued by many men. Though slightly less misogynistic and more focused on the developing love story between protagonists Kat and Patrick, the idea for the stories are more or less the same. Key protagonist Kat Stratford embodies the idea of weaving modern aspects and ideas with classical literature and settings, with her strong, feminist personality and character unwavering throughout the film.
Feminism, politics and equality as highly relevant in today’s world and the cinema scene, were topics that weren’t taken as seriously during times when most notable works of classic literature were set. Filmmakers in modern times use the plots and stories as a base, but reinvent them in a way that seems relevant in the modern world.
Examining specific instances of more obvious reinterpretations, one understands the masterpieces that come from the interplay between classic literature and modern film. Whether it’s Greta Gerwig’s innovative take on “Little Women” or Joe Knight’s remake of “Pride and Prejudice,” every reimagining adds something special to the connection between the past and the present.
The reinterpretation of classic literature in modern cinema continues to be a dynamic, ever-changing process with new ideas and themes being explored in every new project. As filmmakers push boundaries and opinions in reimagining some of the most classic stories, the audience is presented with interactions between the past and the present, and how it plays into the real world. The intersection between aspects of modern storytelling and traditional norms not only honors literary legacies but puts forth ideas and principles to be understood and admired by future generations.
