Emily Henry's celebrated romance novel, "People We Meet on Vacation," has made its cinematic debut on Netflix, bringing the beloved characters of Poppy Wright and Alex Nilsen to life. While the film strives to honor the spirit of the original work, it introduces several notable changes that will certainly spark discussion among dedicated readers. This comparison aims to illuminate the most significant deviations, offering insight into how the story's transition from page to screen has influenced key plot points and character portrayals.
Detailed Report: "People We Meet on Vacation" - From Novel to Netflix
The journey of Poppy Wright (Emily Bader) and Alex Nilsen (Tom Blyth) from the pages of Emily Henry's 2021 bestseller to the Netflix screen is now complete, offering a fresh perspective on their decade-long, slow-burn romance. This adaptation, while capturing the essence of their evolving friendship and eventual love, introduces several interesting modifications from the original narrative. Key differences primarily revolve around their initial meeting, family structures, specific travel experiences, and the dynamics of their romantic progression.
Originally, Poppy and Alex's paths first crossed during orientation at the University of Chicago. Their first significant interaction, a shared drive home to Linfield, Ohio, during their freshman year, laid the foundation for their unique bond. In the film, their meeting is streamlined: both attend Boston College, and their first meaningful conversation occurs during the pivotal car ride back to their shared hometown. While the book delays their discussion of travel aspirations, the movie integrates this into their initial journey, accelerating their connection. Furthermore, the film elaborates on their initial road trip, adding a memorable overnight motel stay after a series of minor mishaps, a sequence not present in the novel. Despite these changes, both versions solidify their friendship, leading to a pact for future summer adventures.
Regarding Alex's family, the novel features three younger brothers, whereas the movie simplifies this to just one, David (Miles Heizer). David's wedding serves as a catalyst for Poppy and Alex's reunion after a two-year period of estrangement in both adaptations. However, the wedding's location shifts from Palm Springs in the book to the vibrant city of Barcelona in the film. The cinematic adaptation cleverly incorporates elements from the Palm Springs trip—such as Poppy's challenging apartment rental with a faulty air conditioner and a dramatic summer rainstorm leading to a passionate moment—into the Barcelona setting, maintaining the emotional impact of the original scene.
Their inaugural trip together to Vancouver Island remains consistent across both mediums, including the recurring "it speaks to me" joke and their encounter with Buck (Lukas Gage) and Daisy. A notable divergence in the movie is Alex's impulsive skinny-dipping escapade, an event absent from the book.
Poppy's parents, Wanda (Molly Shannon) and Jimmy (Alan Ruck), are portrayed with hilarious charm in the film, although the book provides a more extensive depiction of her family, including two older brothers, Prince and Parker, who are omitted from the adaptation. A memorable scene, where Poppy's mother offers her a large box of condoms, is faithfully adapted from the novel, emphasizing the humor and candidness of their family dynamic.
A significant romantic turning point involving Poppy's sprained ankle, which occurs during a strenuous hike in Vail, Colorado, in the book, is relocated to a lively night out in New Orleans in the movie. After consuming several drinks, Poppy twists her ankle, leading Alex to tenderly carry her back to their hotel, mirroring the book's 'Seabiscuit' joke. This moment is complicated in the film by the unexpected appearance of Poppy's chef boyfriend, a character who, in the novel, does not interrupt their trips.
The Tuscany trip, featuring Poppy, Trey (Lucien Laviscount), Alex, and Sarah (Sarah Catherine Hook), is present in both versions. However, Poppy's pregnancy scare unfolds differently: in the movie, Alex accompanies her to acquire a pregnancy test, whereas in the book, she faces this challenge alone before Alex discovers her with the test. The film positions Tuscany as their last trip before a significant falling out, while the book includes an additional trip to Croatia.
The Croatia trip, central to the book, is entirely omitted from the movie. In the novel, this trip becomes a crucible for their undeclared emotions, culminating in a drunken kiss and a subsequent two-year period of silence due to their fear of ruining their friendship. This trip is crucial for understanding their emotional stagnation before their eventual reconciliation.
Alex's proposal to Sarah is another point of divergence. In the movie, he proposes in Tuscany, directly leading to a rift with Poppy. In the book, Alex never proposes to Sarah. Instead, it is revealed by his brother David that Alex had considered proposing but ultimately broke off his relationship with Sarah after realizing his true feelings for Poppy, a confession made during David's bachelor party.
Poppy's decision to leave her job at R&R occurs much earlier in the film, immediately after her return from Barcelona. In the novel, this decision is a result of a longer period of self-reflection, therapy, and a transformative encounter with a high school bully in New York. This leads her to start a new column focusing on the human connections made through travel.
The confrontation between Poppy and Sarah also takes different forms. In the movie, their reconciliation happens at the Barcelona airport, where Sarah, now a flight attendant, expresses understanding and forgiveness. In the book, this conversation takes place in Linfield, at the high school where Alex and Sarah teach, with Sarah giving her blessing to Poppy's pursuit of Alex.
The climactic final scene also varies: the film features an exhilarating chase through Linfield as Poppy rushes to confess her love. In the book, Poppy finds Alex in a local bar, confesses her feelings publicly, and after an initial hesitation from Alex about their differing lifestyles, they reunite in the parking lot, agreeing that their bond transcends any geographical or lifestyle differences.
Both the movie and the book conclude with Poppy thriving in her new column and Alex embracing a teaching role in New York City, living together (with the addition of a dog in the movie). The overarching message remains consistent: home is found wherever they are together, celebrating their enduring love story despite the narrative adjustments made in its adaptation.
Reflecting on the adaptations of beloved novels like "People We Meet on Vacation" offers a fascinating glimpse into the creative process of filmmaking. It reminds us that while the core narrative and characters may remain, the medium dictates a unique storytelling approach. Some changes, like streamlining Alex's family, might be necessary for pacing, while others, like relocating significant emotional beats, can offer new interpretative layers. Ultimately, both the book and the film present a powerful testament to the enduring nature of love and friendship, proving that true connection can overcome any distance or challenge. It encourages us to appreciate both versions for their distinct artistic merits while cherishing the original story that brought them to life.