Comparing a book and the movie that is a product of that book is always a difficult thing to do, but with The Handmaid’s Tale the screenplay was actually pretty close to the movie. The movie was able to keep the general feel of the book, that dry, satirical humor that permeated through the text. The cast was amazing; Natasha Richardson, Faye Dunaway, Robert Duvall and Aidan Quinn did a wonderful job of portraying the main characters. There was little that changed in the plot, but what they did change was pretty major.
The plot and setting in the movie was the same as in the book. It took place in a futuristic, dystopian United States in a time of war. Women are oppressed and religion is being used as a tool of the government. One of the minor changes from the book to the movie is that there are no white wing hats only red veils. One of the more crucial changes in the film adaptation is that here are more names thrown around. For example, both the main character, known only by Offred her handmaid’s title in the book, is given an actual name, Kate. Also, they gave the daughter a name as well, Jill. The giving of actual names in the movie takes away the sense of ambiguity that is in the book. These names are a way of asserting an actual identity. The whole reason for not giving a definitive identity in the book is to give the appearance of having no freedom or individuality left. Having an identity gives the appearance of the characters having hope in who they are, and in the book that is something that is really challenged.
Another big difference from the book to the movie is that Offred kills the Commander at the end of the movie and in the book, she doesn’t. In the book the Commander is seen as almost self incriminating himself once Offred is taken away. I think this was another mistake on the screenwriter’s behalf because in the book Offred can’t even truly consider killing herself, let alone killing another person. Also, in the book towards the end she has almost given up and accepted her role in this new society so she doesn’t get into trouble. Having her go to the Commander asking for help, let alone killing him, I feel, takes away from her sense of naïve innocence. Killing him is a way for her showing that, yes she is desperate, but it shows that she has some gumption left. With the book there is a sense of complete vulnerability, that is why when she is taken into the custody of the resistance there is a greater sense of relief, because she has finally her hope back.
Though these changes are pretty significant there wasn’t much else that changed from the book to the movie. The overall feeling or tone of the book was transferred to the movie beautifully. The sense of total disheartenment by, and for, the people of this dystopian society is just as evident in both the book and the movie. The sense of betrayal and loss felt by the women, being denounced and devoid of all civil liberties is just as keen in the movie. Capturing the essence of the Red Center, I thought, would have been very difficult because it is where the women are taken to be programmed not to think or feel or trust or, truly be alive, but the movie did an excellent job of conveying that idea as well. Another aspect that I think was portrayed very well was the relationships between the wives and the handmaids. The sense of resentment along with the complete need that the wives have for the handmaids is a key point in the book that I wasn’t sure would be able to be fully conveyed through the screenplay, but again, I was wrong. Overall, I think this was a beautifully shot movie, adapted from one of the most compelling novels that I have ever had the privilege of reading.
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