Streaming Sunday features TV series or movies adapted from books I’ve read, offered on at least one streaming service and I’ve watched.
The Last Thing He Told Me is based on the book of the same name by Laura Dave, which was the May 2021 selection by Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club. The 7-episode series was also produced by Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine and 20th Television. It stars Jennifer Garner and was developed by the author and Josh Singer. It began streaming on Apple TV+ April 14.
The movie also stars Angouri Rice, Aisha Tyler, Augusto Aguilera and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. I think Garner was a perfect choice as Hannah Hall. Julia Roberts was originally cast in the role but had to drop out because of a scheduling conflict. Garner lobbied hard for the role and I’m glad they paid attention. She fit my image of the book character and delivered the subtle performance I was hoping to see. Rice played the perfect surly teen who resents her stepmother without a lot of affected drama and Coster-Waldau made the most out of his limited screen time, coming across as extremely likable and not like someone with a murky past.
I loved the book and enjoyed the series. It’s always my choice to read the book first but here I think it’s essential. Witherspoon has shown a preference for staying true to the novels she’s brought to screen and the same applies here. Adapting a book to screen is tricky because what works well on the page doesn’t necessarily translate well to this medium. I think they did a great job here with the casting, settings and atmosphere. I would have preferred to binge watch as something gets lost having to wait a week. Now that all the episodes are airing, that shouldn’t be an issue.
Speaking of settings…Hannah, Owen and Bailey live on a houseboat. I remember trying to visualize an upscale version in my head and had some trouble. The series was filmed in Sausalito and of course they got this right. If I could live on one of these, I’d consider it. The story also takes place in Austin and they got that right, too.
Bottom line…read the book and then check out the series!
Blue Mood Café 
I loved the book. So glad to hear the series is good too. Can’t wait to watch!
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I think you’ll be pleased, especially since you can watch the episodes without interruption.
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I need to get Apple TV+. I’d love to watch this! Thanks for sharing about it.
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You’re welcome, Jodie💜 You’d also might like The Morning Show. It was the reason I subscribed.
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I haven’t read the book yet, so have put the screen adaptation on hold for a while. However, this looks like a mystery novel. So if you’ve read the book, would it spoil the adaptation for someone like me?
I read and watched Daisy Jones and The Six and really enjoyed that one. I agree with what you said about Reese’s adaptations being close to the novel.
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I can’t watch the movie and then read the book (I’ve tried) but have never had an issue in the reverse. There’s something about the visual images lifted from the pages that make it a completely different experience. I had the same feelings about Daisy Jones & The Six having loved the audiobook and then enjoying the series, especially the casting.
While this is a mystery, it’s not a thriller, more a puzzle that needs to be unraveled. Even though I knew the outcome, the details felt new again. And, it’s a lovely setting. Reese does it again. So, no, I don’t think reading the book would spoil the adaptation just because it’s a mystery. When an adaptation is done well, it never matters. Remember, we watch mystery movies over and over all the time.
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That’s true.. okay you’ve convinced me..😊
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This sounds really good Jo. Great that Reese Witherspoon gets the book to screen adaptions right!
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It is! I joined her book club at inception when she chose Where the Crawdads Sing and optioned it for screen development. She formed her production company around it. I’m one of her fans because she’s a reader and gets it right.
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I’m so glad the series turned out well! I really loved the book. I don’t have Apple TV, but this is yet one more incentive to consider it!
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I bit the bullet a few years ago when I got a year free after buying a new iPad. I wanted to see The Morning Show and it was worth buying. Hope you give it a shot, Lisa💜
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As you know, I loved the book, and we’re going to be getting Apple + so we can watch this later in June. So happy to hear they got it right.
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I hope you enjoy it, Alexandra💜 It’s so true to the book.
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I am not familiar with the book, but I really like Jennifer Garner, not to mention Nikolaj Coster Waldau (did you know he is Danish?). Currently, I don’t subscribe to Apple+ though,
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I learned that he was Danish when I was researching the casting for this series! Maybe you can do a 7-day free trial…
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I thought of that!
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I still need to read the book but the series definitely sounds like it’s worth checking out. I really like Jennifer Garner. I also wouldn’t mind seeing Nikolaj Coster Waldau in something again. Haven’t seen him in anything since Game of Thrones ended.
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Oh, Suzanne, you’d love the book💜 The series does it justice.
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