| disappointing |
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| written by mickeyd |
April 27, 2008 - 3:55 PM PDT |
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1 out of 2 members found this review helpful
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| The book version is just too complex to be made into a film of this length. Too much story to squeeze into 101 minutes. There is so much of the book that is missing in the film as usually happens. The film only touches on one of several stories that interconnect in the book. The film moves along quickly and tries to use bits and pieces of the other stories, but if you haven't read the book, it's a little confusing. |
| Watch the movie before reading (or listening to) the book |
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| written by rmarkd |
February 16, 2004 - 10:52 PM PST |
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1 out of 2 members found this review helpful
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I have about an hour long commute each way everyday and listen to audiobooks to pass the time. If anyone has a long commute, I highly recommend this. Fiction works better than non-fiction.
Anyway, the book contains 5 stories linked by characters. It's mostly the first story that the movie is made out of. In the book, the first story is easily the best. King paints a real "I feel as if I know him" Bobby Garfield as a kid turning 11, still living in the uncomplicated halcyon days of youth before life starts to get difficult. He befriends an old man, Ted Brautigan who is a bit creepy and mysterious, but also caring, especially to the fatherless Bobby. Ted also has special powers, it seems.
What makes the book such a joy to read (or, in my case, listen to) is the way King paints the characters, be it Bobby's relation with Ted, or his mother and their strained relationship, or his friends-maybe-more relationship with Carol Gerber. The characters feel real. The plot development is slow, but not wasted. Each scene contributes something to Bobby or his relationship with the other characters.
The movie skims over this to make a story. The characters don't feel like real characters, only pawns of the plot. The story feels hurried. The "low men" aren't nearly as mysterious as in the book. The movie isn't as rich or intricate as the book.
There are some things I liked better in the movie than in the book. It makes me wonder if, had I seen the movie before listening to the audiobook, would I have enjoyed the movie more? |
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