Don't ask the Writers Guild of America. Because if a particular film wasn't made under the guilds jurisdiction and or a collective bargaining agreement in Canada, Ireland, New Zealand or the U.K. then the film's screenplay wasn't even considered. The Writers Guild announced its nominations for Best Original, Documentary, and my raison d'etre, Adapted Screenplay.
Omissions in the adapted category include some fine writing but the Writers Guild won't be weighing in on these: Les Miserables, Beasts of the Southern Wild, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, The Intouchables, Quartet, Anna Karenina, and Rust And Bone. You can see the entire list at the
Writers Guild of America site but here are the nominees from my favorite category. There were a total of 112 scripts considered, 44 were adapted, 68 were original. I've seen all of these and each one is fantastic in its own way. Who can choose?
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Argo, Screenplay by Chris Terrio; Based on a selection from The Master of Disguise by Antonio J. Mendez and the Wired Magazine article “The Great Escape” by Joshuah Bearman; Warner Bros. Pictures
Life of Pi, Screenplay by David Magee; Based on the novel by Yann Martel; 20th Century Fox
Lincoln, Screenplay by Tony Kushner; Based in part on the book Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin; DreamWorks Pictures
The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Screenplay by Stephen Chbosky; Based on his book; Summit Entertainment
Silver Linings Playbook, Screenplay by David O. Russell; Based on the novel by Matthew Quick; The Weinstein Company
