Spoonixel
Amateur movie with Big budget
2freensel
I saw this movie before reading any reviews, and I thought it was very funny. I was very surprised to see the overwhelmingly negative reviews this film received from critics.
KnotStronger
This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.
krissyafite1979
I like the ending in here much better then the book. In the book I think they implied they were just friends in the movie they got back together. Minnie driver is not gorgeous but shes talented. Chris was okay as the rich young man whose pressured to pursue a career hes not sure hes cut out for. The acting is pretty good, the storyline could be seen as boring but the acting and comedy makes it worth it. This was Ireland in the 50s so its a completely different world for some of us. Mini driver wasn't the best role for an overweight woman cause she was not so big, but other then that shes great for the part. The movie wasn't totally true to the book, in the book they met nan in college in the movie they knew her since childhood, and they made what they called confirmation but American catholics call it communion, not sure if it was a mistake or Ireland uses the word confirmation for that event. Like in the book, Benny was expected to marry the man who worked in the fathers shop who was going to take over the business. I don't know why They would rather her marry a poor shop owner who will only have money cause he was left the shop, over a doctor. So the the family might not carry on the family business when t the parents aren't around, its not like its the family name not carried, its a shop. Weird to me.
annabrownie
As a general rule, I am picky about adaptations of books on the big screen, but there is much to love about this version of Maeve Binchy's excellent novel. I loved the book from the first time I read it, and was delighted to find a film version to rent. The cast are really very good and the movie is well-written and directed. Minnie Driver is wonderful as Benny, with Chris O'Donnell portraying a slightly more sympathetic Jack than the selfish young man in the novel, and excellent support from Geraldine O'Rawe, Saffron Burrows, Alan Cumming and Colin Firth (getting to play a cad rather than the hero for a change).There are, of course, some major differences from the novel but nonetheless the film works, in and of itself, and it is still extremely enjoyable. I can accept that for a Hollywood movie, a more conclusive ending was required than that provided by Binchy in the book, and it was made believable by the chemistry between Driver and O'Donnell in the last few scenes.I would agree that the sexual life of savages would be an unlikely subject for first year students in 1950s Ireland, but I like Ciaran Hinds as the lecturer, so I'll let it go...I also would have liked to see more of Binchy's supporting cast make it into the movie - Mother Francis, for example, who brought up Eve, or some of the other friends outside of the college group such as Clodagh or Fonzie. Obviously a film has limitations that do not hinder an author, but I would also have liked there to have been more back story for Nan - just why she chooses Simon, for example. And I could always use more interaction between Eve and Aidan, whose scenes in the book are richly comic and translate very well onto the screen.Despite my quibbles, I have always liked this film, and I would recommend it to most people, whether they have read the book or not, for its entertainment value.
blackberrybabe
I was glad to see Chris O'Donnell in this movie. He did this to show the Irish side of him. As an Irishwoman, I loved that. O'Donnell shines as Jack Foley, the good-looking Rugby star who falls in love with Benny (Driver). O'Donnell plays Foley with suavity, sympathy & class. You like him; even when you find out about Nan. He just has a way of making you swoon. And I loved the accent. My favorite scene in this movie is Jack in a tuxedo. Talk about hot! Chris O'Donnell has always been good-looking, but wearing that tuxedo & speaking with an Irish accent made me swoon.Driver gives a star-is-born performance as Benny, the 'ordinary' girl who dreams of more than Knockglen. You feel her pain as she deals her whole life with not being the beauty Nan is; & cheer when Jack tells her he loves her.I discovered what a talent Alan Cumming is. His portrayal of Sean Walsh gave me the creeps; yet I kept hoping for more screen time. Geraldine O'Rawe is another breakthrough performance as Eve. She is a loyal friend to Benny & a joy to watch on screen. Her beauty & grace are unmatched in this film.A very sweet movie & a good addition to anyone's collection. If you are Irish, rent & enjoy this gem. If you are not, rent anyways. It just proves that sometimes the person you want may not be out of reach. Sometimes dreams do come true.
phunkypuhnk
This is my favorite book. Maeve Binchy is my favorite author. I think the movie falls a bit short her intricately weaved story. Naturally there will be changes from book to screen but some of the things left out are the very things that make this story so lovable. If they had extended the length of the film then a lot more could have been done. A better development of characters and relationships could have taken place.If you've read the book than you know how significant the ending change is. It nearly changes the whole character of Benny. As glad as I am that Jack and Benny got back together in the film I think a truer growth of character would have occurred if they kept the original book ending. It is a decent film. Watchable. If you love this book than you might like the film. If you're obsessed then it is worth the cash. I wish I had it.
