A still of Nica from ‘The Tearsmith.'.Photo:Netlix
Netlix
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Now adapted into a movie streaming on Netflix,The Tearsmith, which was filmed in Italian with English subtitles, is spreading to new audiences looking for their next romantic fix.
Here’s everything to know about the differences between the book and the movie adaptation. Some light spoilers ahead, for those who haven’t yet discovered the magic of either version.
The abusive matron is still at the orphanage
Nica and Rigel’s relationship developed more quickly in the movie
Netflix/Youtube
The novel is a whopping 550 pages and it isn’t until around halfway through that a physical relationship starts between Nica and Rigel, aftermuchtension and build-up. However, given the runtime of the movie is an hour and 45 minutes, the relationship is sped along much faster onscreen.
Rigel is prone to headaches and severe fevers and, early in the book, he experiences a fever that causes him to pass out, leaving Nica to take care of him while their adoptive parents are out of town. While the same scene happens in the movie, it is also the first time Nica and Rigel get together physically — whereas in the book, Rigel is asleep and Nica merely sees his vulnerability for the first time.
Chaos ensues at a school dance rather than at a party
There is a raving animosity between Lionel, who has a romantic interest in the clueless Nica, and Rigel, who doesn’t trust his rival (and let’s face it, he’s jealous). In the book, the rivalry culminates in the final scene where Rigel and Lionel get into a massive fight.
However, in the movie, it all comes to a head during the climax of the film at the school dance — which does not happen in the book. Instead, a similar chaotic scene happens when Nica attends Lionel’s party, where a drunk Lionel is aggressive toward her.
At the dance, Lionel is the sober one while Rigel fends off an inebriated Nica. A near-fatal incident that occurs at the end of the book happens directly after this scene — after Nica and Rigel have sex for the first time (which is also not when it happens in the book!).
Though Asia is a minor character in the book, she is important to the story as Nica stands up to her and proves that she’s not there to replace her adoptive parents’ deceased son, Alan, but rather to bring them new joy. Asia, who was in love with Alan before his death, has a hard time accepting her and is brusque and rude to her.
In the film adaptation, Asia’s character is the same but she is not developed and is only in two scenes: the initial scene where she reacts poorly to Nica’s presence and the final scene where she accepts Nica. Her friendship with Adeline is ignored and her story as a law student (and Adaline’s love story) is also not portrayed in the film.
The story has a somewhat different ending
The plot still ends with Nica testifying against Margaret (but no spoilers on the outcome of that testimony!), but it’s in a slightly different, more condensed order than the book.
How this dark fairytale come to end? You’ll just have to read—and watch—to find out.
source: people.com
