Just got back. I'm afraid to say... I thought it was mostly enjoyable, but overall, not truly a great film. The film suffers greatly from losing Ishiguro's prose, and is largely reduced to a summary of events from the novel. As such, a lot of the moments lose their impact -- in fact, some of them threaten to become melodrama. Mark Romanek seems to be a competent director, and there are some affecting scenes, but he's not capable of overcoming the theoretical (shh, you know) aspects of the story. Those theoretical aspects will feel like the point of the exercise, and the emotional bits will seem incidental, especially for those who have never read the novel.
It must be said, however, that Carey Mulligan is brilliant in the film. She's possibly deserving of another Oscar nomination, and if this turns out to be a weak year, she's practically guaranteed one. All the actors acquit themselves well (especially the child actors), but Mulligan in particular is outstanding.
I dunno, I'm heavily biased, as I'm very fond of the novel, but overall I don't know if I can wholeheartedly recommend this film to those who haven't read the novel -- it might seem like flimsy science fiction. To those who have read it, you may well enjoy the film, but it is unquestionably an inferior experience.
It must be said, however, that Carey Mulligan is brilliant in the film. She's possibly deserving of another Oscar nomination, and if this turns out to be a weak year, she's practically guaranteed one. All the actors acquit themselves well (especially the child actors), but Mulligan in particular is outstanding.
I dunno, I'm heavily biased, as I'm very fond of the novel, but overall I don't know if I can wholeheartedly recommend this film to those who haven't read the novel -- it might seem like flimsy science fiction. To those who have read it, you may well enjoy the film, but it is unquestionably an inferior experience.
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