Almost Perfect Screen Adaptation of Stupendous Book

Rating: 9/10 (14 September 2007)

I loved the book, so awaited Joe Wright's adaptation with mixed feelings....would it do the book justice, or would I be forever disappointed to see the "wrong" interpretation? I decided to go to Toronto to see it at the Film Festival to find out!
Bottom line I was so relieved. It's a beautiful story and the casting and sets and staging are wonderful, almost to the point of distraction.
My only complaints were a "Hallmark card" type of scene at the end of Cecelia and Robbie happily cavorting on a beach (very NOT Ian McEwan's style)and the decision NOT to include the final scene of the book, where Briony's very young cousins finally stage her play, "The Trials of Arabella" which started the story going 60+ years earlier. I think that scene beautifully brought the story to a close, and wished they had included it in the film.
But other than that, no complaints and I can't wait to see it again.