 Instead of being about Marty 's love for Shiloh , most of the novel occurs in Marty 's thoughts such as when he ponders about telling falsehoods to his parents . Because the book was considered " very internal " by the major film studios , director Dale Rosenbloom labored over making the film more external . Rosenbloom added new characters and scenes to the story and faxed each change to the novel 's author . Naylor was neither fearful of Rosenbloom 's changes nor unhesitant at suggesting changes . After the film was released , Naylor said that Rosenbloom " did a very good job " , and Rosenbloom said , " We did do right by the book and her ... She lives by her code and if you honor it , she appreciates it . " By June 1997 , Naylor had seen the film six times . In an interview that month , she noted that she was always struck by the hush of the theater and by how the film entrances everyone , even the children . 
