A few months ago I sat in a movie theater, behaving myself, until a One for the Money preview came on. Katherine Heigl said, “They blew up my car!” in a Jersey accent, and I cheered. Grandma Mazur shot the dinner turkey, Joe Morelli called Stephanie Plum “cupcake” – I laughed and shouted “Yesss!”
I understand it’s generally thought uncouth for a woman my age to publicly indulge in teenage behavior. I was so excited, I didn’t care.
Excited, because Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series is brilliant. One for the Money sells over 75 million copies, and finally someone gets the idea to make it into a movie. Duh. The characters are endearing, the dialogue is hilarious, and the 
premise is simply awesome: Down-on-her-luck divorcée returns to her hometown and takes a job as a bounty hunter, and her old flame is the target. Stephanie Plum screws up a lot, but she’s unflappable. Joe Morelli handcuffs her to the shower rod – what’s not to love?
Sure, literary, suspense and YA fiction is adapted for the “big screen” all the time. I’m wondering if romance novels are passed over by Hollywood. I know we could debate whether or not One for the Money is technically a romance novel. And yes, Nicholas Sparks’ books and angsty teenage vampire series are made into movies. I’m not satisfied.
The enduring popularity of Jane Austen and Brontë adaptations should be a clue to producers that viewers crave a good love story. Romance novelists are great storytellers, and with an annual average of $1.4 billion in sales, romance is by far the bestselling fiction genre. Where is Hollywood, then?
Granted, not every bestselling romance is suitable for a screenplay, but the same could be said of books in every genre. That’s the purpose of adaptation and editing. I also admit a good deal of popular romance novels are too racy for me, and for the general viewership. I’m not advocating “that kind of movie.” Offhand I can think of a dozen romance novels which would appeal to broad audiences and could be well-adapted to screenplay, and so could you, I bet.
I’m talking about Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander. The beloved classic Mrs. Mike by Freedman. Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase. Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie. Linda Howard’s Mr. Perfect. I could go on . . . but why don’t you instead?
Romance readers: What favorite should get the next big movie deal?
Okay, critics – take me to the mat. Go ahead and explain why I’m wrong about everything. I can take it.
i love rom/coms but now they seem to be getting more crude, less funny. maybe you’re right, they just need to focus more on filming the romance books…with humour.
Nora, Thanks for visiting. You’ve hit the nail on the head – it’s the humor (great dialogue) which makes romance enjoyable.
Absolutely, there are a lot of romances I can imagine as movies–Cindy Gerard’s BOIs, Bella Andre’s Sullivan siblings series, Victoria Dahl’s Donovan Brother’s brewpub. But movies are made for 18-30 year old males, aren’t they? Sad.
And not to quibble about “One for the Money” but they cast a blue-eyed Irishman as Morelli? Really? Did they read the book?
Peggy – Amen to all those. And yeah, if the name “Morelli” wasn’t a clue, the book could have told the producers it’s blue-collar Italian in Trenton NJ. I think they were only looking at pecs. hehe.
LOL – they were only looking at the pecs…I kinda got lost on them, myself! I’d love to see Jayne Ann Krentz’s arcane series made in a movie or three…and Rachel Gibson’s Anything but Love..that would be a funny movie!
Kristina, You have great taste, as always. I can’t help but think your book “What a Texas Girl Wants” would be a fantastic movie. I’m chuckling, thinking about it.
I would commit all kinds of crimes to see a Kresley Cole book make it to film. Her heros are so sigh-worthy. Side note: remember Sleeping with the Enemy? It was made after a romance novel. It’s a great read!
Hi Micah! Thanks for visiting. A Kresley Cole movie would be intense. Probably too scary for me! You’re right – she is a master storyteller. I wonder who could play Nix, the crazy valkyrie.
I second Micah! All kinds of crimes! I LOVE Kresley Cole’s books. They would be hilarious!
Hello, Nikki. Thanks for stopping by. I think Kresley Cole’s wacky valkyries would steal the show.