Reading a play is vastly different than reading a novel because there is more context given in a novel than there is in a play. A play is meant to be watched, therefore the author does not include things such as direct characterization, etceteras to help paint a picture for readers, because they are meant to see those things with their own eyes when they view the play.
Movies, however, replace this context that is lost when the play is simply read. As previously stated, plays are written with the intent of being performed and viewed by the audience. Movies provide a similar atmosphere to the author's intended means of people viewing their work. This allows the audience to get a better understanding of what's going on and how to interpret different conversations, etceteras.
