Although the film “Everything Must Go” is based on the short story “Why Don’t You Dance” there are many differences between the two. These numerous differences in the story line and the main incidents make it hard to believe that the film is actually based on the short film. Personally, I thought that the script of the film had taken only the idea of a garage sale in the yard and a few personality traits of the main characters and created almost a totally different story line altogether. Since a movie has a long running time there are certain factors that the movie added to base of the short story. In this comparative film and book review I’d like to talk about those factors.
The first is from when the story begins. In the short story the man seems to be already willing to sell most of his products. Furthermore we are provided with no background information about his career life or marriage life. However in the movie, quite a long amount of time is invested into preparing the man for his first sale. He undergoes quite a long period of denial and problems with a friend and it is only after he overcomes his alcoholism that he is able to face himself and the reality and start to sell things. Thus the movie has a stronger focus on the internal changes and growth of the man.
The second is the addition of numerous characters. The girl in the short story gets to play a bigger role in the film and there is an addition of two very important characters, Kenny, the boy on the bicycle and Frank, the man’s best friend. Also, the man in the film gets to meet his old high school friend who restored his self-confidence as he realized that at one point other people regarded him in a positive light. The role of these characters are also related to the focus of the film; the man breaking away from his old life and habits and getting ready to embark on a new one.
The differences between the film and short story are mainly due to the great difference in the length of the story line. The one factor which makes me slightly prefer the film to the short story is the film’s focus on the man’s acceptance and change throughout the film. The film more effectively creates a character with whom we can empathize and cheer on. Personally, I think this film is a great example of a film inspired by a short story, rather than an adaptation.
