MovieChat Forums > Head Over Heels (1982) Discussion > The book this is based on, "Chilly Scene...

The book this is based on, "Chilly Scenes of Winter," is not a romance novel

posted a year ago by xanthas (3215)
6 replies | jump to latest

It was a popular books in the 1970s, but the relationship between Charles and Laura was not the focus of the book. Charles's obsession with his ex-girlfriend, Laura, is an important part of the novel, but their romance is not really explored. Laura doesn't even appear as a character in the book until the final chapter. However, I do recommend reading the novel if you are a fan of the movie because it provides a larger and different perspective of the other characters.

[–] TrentnQuarantino (9443) a year ago

That's why people have to understand - movies are not the book.

[–] xanthas (3215) a year ago

What about novelizations? LOL!

Anyway, I just thought it was interesting because fans of this movie often question why Charles makes such odd and violent threats toward Laura, but in the book he isn't really like that.

[–] TrentnQuarantino (9443) a year ago

What a coincidence. Your name is Laura, my name is Charles.

Miss DeLillo knows her music too.

Loved that movie.

[–] xanthas (3215) a year ago

One of my favorite scenes in the movie is when Charles and Sam pretend to be interested in buying an A-Frame and Ox takes them to his house for a tour, where they run into Laura of course, and Charles declares his love for her. Nothing like this happens in the book, but it works so well. Joan Micklin Silver came up with some great scenes and dialogue.

[–] TrentnQuarantino (9443) a year ago

Or when Charles gets busted by Ox for running into the tree - and that image of Ox giving Charles' car a shove off down the road.

[–] FootOfDavros (8702) a year ago

This is why you ALWAYS watch a film first.

You can only gain by reading the novel afterwards. Whereas reading the novel first only leads to disappointment...