I was gutted watching this movie.
Not to be someone who bangs on about 'the book being better' but in this case it is most certainly the case, and unfortunately, by some distance.
If you know the book and are expecting a faithful adaptation then stay clear! This film will frustrate you as it chokes everything that was good about the book and compresses it into a poor storyline, too cramped and hurried to be allowed to breathe.
David is portrayed well by young Ben Tibber, but if like me you are someone who really connected with David in the book, and was excited by his observations on humanity, faith, good and evil and God then you will be disappointed by the lack of any such depth here. Expect a different David. Given, one who is quiet and troubled, but also one whose character is contrary to the book's in several important areas. *SPOILER FOLLOWS SKIP TO NEXT PARAGRAPH* For example, when Carlo beats David up, David kicks him back. So there isn't any of the fantastic dialogue between them on why he won't hit back. This is just one crucial aspect of his character made void in this adaptation. Another important aspect to note is that David does not pray to 'the God of the green pastures and still waters', instead he talks, twice and of no significance, to St. Elizabeth. So say goodbye to any questions this film raises about God, faith and answers to prayer - which in my opinion was one of the most interesting aspects of the book.
I think the director has opted for a 'warm fuzzy feeling' movie, trying hard not to offend anyone and offering a positive message in hope and triumph. However, he falls short of both! That is what was so good about the book! That it made no apologies for David's faith, or his hatred, or his love for Johannes (whose character is nothing like the Johannes we love in the book), David worked through difficult, often horrible situations and spoke his mind whilst wrestling with the darker aspects of life, this just isn't present in this movie!
By far the most frustrating thing about this film in my opinion is a missed opportunity. This should have been a masterpiece, but as it is, its 'an-afternoon-movie-on-an-obscure- channel-once-every-8 years-piece'.
I really, really, really, wanted to give this as high a rating as I would give the book, but I just can't!
Not to be someone who bangs on about 'the book being better' but in this case it is most certainly the case, and unfortunately, by some distance.
If you know the book and are expecting a faithful adaptation then stay clear! This film will frustrate you as it chokes everything that was good about the book and compresses it into a poor storyline, too cramped and hurried to be allowed to breathe.
David is portrayed well by young Ben Tibber, but if like me you are someone who really connected with David in the book, and was excited by his observations on humanity, faith, good and evil and God then you will be disappointed by the lack of any such depth here. Expect a different David. Given, one who is quiet and troubled, but also one whose character is contrary to the book's in several important areas. *SPOILER FOLLOWS SKIP TO NEXT PARAGRAPH* For example, when Carlo beats David up, David kicks him back. So there isn't any of the fantastic dialogue between them on why he won't hit back. This is just one crucial aspect of his character made void in this adaptation. Another important aspect to note is that David does not pray to 'the God of the green pastures and still waters', instead he talks, twice and of no significance, to St. Elizabeth. So say goodbye to any questions this film raises about God, faith and answers to prayer - which in my opinion was one of the most interesting aspects of the book.
I think the director has opted for a 'warm fuzzy feeling' movie, trying hard not to offend anyone and offering a positive message in hope and triumph. However, he falls short of both! That is what was so good about the book! That it made no apologies for David's faith, or his hatred, or his love for Johannes (whose character is nothing like the Johannes we love in the book), David worked through difficult, often horrible situations and spoke his mind whilst wrestling with the darker aspects of life, this just isn't present in this movie!
By far the most frustrating thing about this film in my opinion is a missed opportunity. This should have been a masterpiece, but as it is, its 'an-afternoon-movie-on-an-obscure- channel-once-every-8 years-piece'.
I really, really, really, wanted to give this as high a rating as I would give the book, but I just can't!