Following the recent adaptation of Mélissa Da Costa's popular novel 'Tout le bleu du ciel', which aired on January 27, 2025, the author has faced significant criticism from fans of the book. Despite the film attracting 3.6 million viewers and being available on Netflix, reactions have not been all positive.
Originally celebrated for her impactful storytelling, Da Costa has seen her literary work transition to screens, but not without controversy. Many longtime fans expressed disappointment, particularly noting the absence of key elements from the novel. Critics focused on the lack of flashbacks, widely regarded as integral to the emotional depth of the story.
After the film's broadcast on TF1, Da Costa received backlash on social media, prompting her to step back from these platforms to maintain her mental health. "La pause numérique s'impose pour moi (…) Je reviendrai dans quelques temps par ici (ou pas)," she wrote on Facebook, indicating her decision to disconnect.
The adaptation, crafted by Claire Lemaréchal and featuring actors Hugo Becker as Emile and Camille Lou as Joanne, was intended to honor the source material. Da Costa initially found joy in seeing her characters brought to life but was unprepared for the fervent criticisms. Following the adaptation, she stated, "Il y a trop d’émotionnel là où il ne devrait pas y en avoir autant. C’est un peu exagéré, pour un film, que les foules se déchaînent," emphasizing her bewilderment at the intense reactions.
Viewers took to social media, expressing their dissatisfaction and frustration. One user lamented the omission of significant plot points, asking, "Comment ça, ils ont zappé toute l’histoire de Tom blue dans le film.. couper des passages oui mais ça ???" This sentiment was echoed by many, including another viewer who remarked, "Le livre est magnifique et quand on l’a lu, on est frustré en voyant le film car il manque beaucoup d’éléments marquants et importants de l’histoire." This collective dissatisfaction highlights the challenge of adapting thick novels with rich narratives to shorter film formats.
Looking at the overall performance of the adaptation, it secured its place as the top-viewed program on Netflix shortly after its release, showcasing extensive interest. Yet, the mixed reviews hint at the difficulty filmmakers encounter when meeting the high expectations set by beloved books. The author's acknowledgment of the shortcomings in the adaptation reflects her commitment to the integrity of her work. "On veut toujours tout y mettre mais ce n’est pas possible," she noted, shedding light on the realities of the adaptation process, where considerable content is inevitably condensed to fit time constraints.
Despite the film's success at the ratings level, what remains significant is the emotional connection readers have with the original text. Many felt the film failed to capture the nuanced portrayals and complex backstories integral to the characters. Da Costa's decision to deactivate comments on her posts was another step to shield herself from the barrage of negative feedback as she shifts her focus back to writing.
While she might be distancing herself from social media, Da Costa's work continues to resonate, as seen by her impressive sales figures of over 1.5 million copies of her books. Yet, the artistic community knows well the dual-edged nature of success: with the spotlight often come harsh critiques of the ways art is replicated across different mediums.
Looking to the future, Da Costa hinted at continuing her creative pursuits, stating she is currently focusing on the writing process for her upcoming works. Adaptation remains challenging, but the hope for next projects is to achieve both commercial success and the satisfaction of her loyal readers who cherish her stories.
With her resilience, Mélissa Da Costa appears poised to return to the literary forefront, and her time off may serve as valuable reflection to bridge the gap between her novels' essence and their adaptations. Readers and fans alike will be watching closely to see what she brings next.”