The Vampire Chronicles Book Club

It's been interesting to re-read Interview because I'm much more familiar with the events of the movie than the book, having seen it more recently and MANY more times than I've read the book. But one of the most WTF changes in this early part, to me, is the movie making the death of Louis' wife, rather than brother, the source of his grief, because it doesn't seem like there was any good reason for it, I guess?

I've heard people make the argument that giving Louis a dead wife in the movie "de-gayed" him, but they leaned in pretty hard to the homoeroticism in the movie, so I don't think that really explains it.

Maybe it's just an easier trauma for an audience to relate to? I don't know.

I realize this isn't a deep question or anything, LOL, but any thoughts?