The Count Of Monte Cristo: The 2024 Movie

Very Different From The Book, But I Enjoyed It

The Count of Monte Cristo: Poster

Hello!!!

This is Joyie and welcome back to my little bookish corner of the internet where I talk all things books!

This week I’m still reading Wuthering Heights. Have you been reading anything this week?

Last week, I watched the 2024 movie adaptation of The Count Of Monte Cristo. I had watched posts about it on Instagram last year, but didn't know it was out already.

I went in with very low expectations. Because I believe TCOMC would be a very difficult book to adapt to screen. It just has a little too much going on.

Now, I know nothing about film-making. But to me, the experience of watching the movie was great. I liked the camera work and especially the soundtrack. And, I don't know how historically accurate the sets or costumes were, but I liked what I saw.

That being said, the movie is quite different from the book. As I mentioned, TCOMC has a lot going on. Capturing all that in a three hour movie will be very challenging. So, the movie doesn't even try. Instead, it takes one aspect of the book, and focuses only on that.

Now, the thing is, Edmond Dantès is not Heathcliff. He’s not just seeking revenge, he’s seeking justice. He's very morally-driven, even though that moral drive is somewhat warped. This is evident in how he gives Caderousse a second chance, or how he saves the Morrel family.

That aspect of Edmond was completely absent in the movie. Instead, the movie makes him very single-minded, where everything he does is for revenge. Now, did I dislike that? Nope. But it just was not Edmond Dantès (#NotMyEdmond).

Also, the book takes its time, slowly building things up, so when we finally get the pay offs, there's a different kind of cathartic release in that. The movie, however, is limited by time. So it's not something I'd complain against, but I did feel that difference.

Pierre Niney and Anaïs Demoustier as Edmond and Mercédès

For example, in chapter 89, Mercédès coming to meet Edmond , and addressing him by his real name. The book spent chapter after chapter building anticipation towards that scene, so when it finally happened, it packed such a hard punch. The movie, too, did a pretty good job, but to me the book scene had way more emotional impact.

And finally, coming to the change I actually loved. I do not like the romantic relationship between Edmond and Haydée in the book. I like that Edmond finds love again, but I absolutely hate that it's with Haydée.

First of all, he's far too old for her. Secondly, she's literally his slave. Does he treat her like a slave? No. But still, he bought her, to get revenge on Fernand, and just holds too much power over her. It just gives me the ick.

The movie avoids this by making Haydée a daughter figure to Edmond. But because of that, in the end he's on his own, with pretty much nothing left for him in life. This is not a message I like. But I guess I cannot have it both ways?

Overall, I think it's a good movie if you see it as something independent from the book. I really enjoyed it, even with the changes to the story.

What about you? Have you read The Count Of Monte Cristo? What do you think of it? I'd love to know!!!

For more of my bookish ramblings, you can also find me on Instagram

Also, if you’d like me to write for you, you can contact me at joyiewrites@gmail.com

That’s it for today, I'll be back in your inbox next week.

Until then,

Joyie 🌻