This film illustrates Dorothy Allison's novel in a way that captivates the audience with grief and curiosity. There are a few differences between the novel and the movie but the overall storyline is the same. Although the novel is the original and preferred version of Allison's story, being able to watch certain scenes is very intriguing and informing.

The scene where Anney first sees Glen is helpful in fully understanding her first impression of Glen; A way out. In the novel she thinks in her head "I need a husband.. Yeah, and a car and a home and a hundred thousand dollars" (Bastard Out of Carolina 13). In the novel she says it aloud to her coworker in almost a sarcastic tone.

The scene where Glen rapes Bone is extremely graphic and is just as difficult to watch as it is to read. However, the audience is able to actually see how submissive Anney is to Glen, even after he harms her daughter in arguably one of the worst ways possible. We read in the book that Bone has just experienced the most horrific moment of her life and is watching with terror as her mother reaches for Glen, "I could see her fingers on Glen's shoulder, see the white knuckles holding him tight" (Bastard Out of Carolina 291).  She goes on the recite, "I would not let go. Rage burned in my belly and came up my throat. I'd said I could never hate her, but I hated her now for the way she held him, the way she stood there crying over him. Could she love me and still hold him like that? I let my head fall back" (Bastard Out of Carolina 291).

In the movie, Bone is sitting in the passenger side of the car watching her mother comfort the man that just raped her. The audience can see Bone's disbelief but can also see how much love Anney continues to show towards Glen. It is truly shocking that a mother could choose anyone over her child but in both the novel and the movie it is very believable and heart wrenching.