Deserves a rating of 7 or higher

As someone who hasn't seen the movie -- because it's not playing within 200 miles of me -- you should know that the book is a masterpiece. And I, too, have read the bad reviews and I wonder if people are just comparing it to the book. The trailer does look amazing, but that usually doesn't mean anything. I hope that I can see it on the big screen, but as it continues to do poorly, that looks less and less likely.

Agree. Saw it twice in seven days. Of course, makes one wish to've read the book, if not read. Excellent performances, including the Merry character at younger ages. Dakota Fanning excellent, as were Jennifer Connelly and Ewan McGregor.

As s.o. who spent his adolescence in the 1950s and young adulthood in the late 60s early 70s, felt indebted to Mr. Roth and those who made the movie for presenting an exceptionally well-done and much needed dramatization of a tragedy obtaining in our own time, the latter of which might be termed "American Pastoral Part Two." (What would THAT family look like?) For us, my wife and me, the Levov family served as a dramatic trope for mid 20th century American cultural self-beliefs, beliefs both naive and dangerous as we're still discovering. Merry is more than a dislodged daughter, she serves as a dramatic tool--the monstrous result of a union doomed from the beginning, an "exceptional" couple. American "exceptionalism" lives and too shall die of its own unreality. Will there be anyone there to love it?

i thought it was a terrible movie, very unengaging even in its most crucial moments 4/10







so many movies, so little time

First of all it's ok to have a minority opinion, you should learn to live with it. Your own rating is different from others, who cares? As long as you enjoyed it

Second, the movie is a bit of a hit and miss for me, and for most people who loved the book, as reported by critics and audience alike.

The script focuses on entirely the wrong aspect of the story, trying to turn it into a mystery movie instead of the rich and complex examination of the duality of American society in the 1960ies (and onward) it should be. What is the core of the novel seems to be more an excuse for melodrama in the movie.

The fine performances (from everyone but the "director" really) are thoroughly wasted on a script that smoothed out all the "wrinkles" of the human drama and eventually turns the complex characters into caricatures of archetypes. The steady conservative father. The overbearing mother. The rebellious daughter etc

Finally, the direction is bland and uneven where it should have been tense and electric.

It's a miss for me and I understand why most people feel that way but if you enjoyed it none the less, I recommend you read the movie and perhaps you'll see why people were disappointed, or perhaps not but you'll get a better insight into the story.

For every lie I unlearn I learn something new - Ani Difranco

agreed. very good film!