rixrex The best thing I've seen said here and likely to come from this adaptation is that it may cause some viewers to read the novel. That would definitely be recommended because the film does not give depth to several 'lesser' characters, a depth that can be found in the novel.This is partly understandable as time limits tend to shunt aside certain characters in order to develop others more fully. The down side of this, however, is that the characters left undeveloped are interesting as well and deserve more than simplistic or stereotypical presentations.When presenting characters that are deserving of interest, they ought to be developed more fully, otherwise what they do doesn't really ring true. It's particularly important when these characters impact the main characters lives greatly, as happens in this drama.Generally I find the average IMDb rating of 7 to be okay, but I gave it 5 because the film had thin moments, fell back to stereotypes occasionally, had some humor that seemed forced, and had a really corny and maudlin epilogue that almost wrecks everything done beforehand.Also, Helen Hunt's character was really hard to watch and almost embarrassing in over-the-top intensity. That's the fault of the director, for Hunt has proved herself to have talent and can handle things with more subtlety when asked to.

hannah-twin Some people did some fantastic performances. Pucci's performance was so real, you could say he wasn't acting. You could swear that the actor who played the principal actually had been a principal, and a kind one. Robin Penn Wright didn't have any false notes, which is incredible inasmuch as she had to show what love is like. The fellow who played Zack Minty was near perfect--playing the kid you hated. Helen Hunt was outstanding as the middle-age woman looking for romance. Estelle Parsons played her mother so well you would think she was Helen Hunt's mother. Farina was great. Hoffman had little screen time, and yet was very touching in a way I can't describe. The only problems were with the people who put the movie together. The difference was too great between the old and new Paul Newman. The old Paul Newman was a much deeper character than the portrayal done by a young version of himself. And Joanne Woodward Newman just didn't seem mean enough to be believable. The Newman's knew how to cast everyone but themselves.

bandw This story of the goings-on in a small Maine town does not deliver at the level one would expect given the cast, the high production values, and the Pulitzer Prize source. Though long at almost four hours, it could have benefited from being either shorter or longer. If shorter, then it could have concentrated on the Columbine-style shooting, or on Miles Roby's struggles, but not both. As it is I felt there was too much voice-over and dialog aimed at getting us up to speed with the characters and intricate plotting while the shooting and its after-effects were not dealt with in enough detail. Too often I was aware of the movie's being scripted instead of feeling I was getting to know real people. Ed Harris turned in a good performance as Miles Roby and I did have the feeling that he was a real character struggling with some deep personal problems. But Paul Newman as Miles' father Max seemed a bit buffoonish as did Dennis Farina as "The Silver Fox." Did anyone believe that Max could abscond with church monies to fund a trip to Florida accompanied by a senile priest no less? The scene with Max in the Florida bar surrounded by adoring women was quite unbelievable - he would have been just another old man among many. Not to dwell too much on this, but the scene that really bothered me was with Miles doing battle with his broken glove box. I can understand that scene was put in there to show how generally frustrated Miles was that such a small thing could be so irritating, but when he was finally able to latch the thing and leave the car I said to myself, "Please don't have that door come open." But the screenwriter could not resist going for the cheap laugh.There was too much dialog, voice-over, and text frames wanting to deliver messages on love, life, and acceptance. The metaphor of life as a river has been a bit overworked by now I think. And using the final sentence from "The Great Gatsby" more than once seemed like an attempt at borrowed glory.The one standout for me was Lou Taylor Pucci as John Voss (the poor tormented outcast). He played the part as if he were a wounded animal, which I guess he was.Altogether too much going on for me.

jsawyer1 hey y'all i was bored and surfing the net and found the web sight for the man who played Brian. If you want to check out the drunk bus boy's web sight go to www.timmytime.org Brian the drunk bus boy is one of my Dav. I found a new scene that he is in too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc8vHftqAvs He is directing a play that he wrote as well Tim is an amazing man. Feel free to check them out and see for yourselves the scene on you tube is funny as hell. As far as Empire falls i really enjoy how they show Maine. I have grown up here and was excited to see it on TV. Please rent and watch this and judge for your selves at how good this movie is. If you liked to book you will love this movie.