Boring & crass

Rating: 2/10 (29 December 2007)

I haven't read this book but I went to the movie hoping it would live up to its IMDb rating and critics' reviews. It didn't! I found it very long and slow in parts and it took some time to get over the use of vulgarity in the early "letter" scene - I was there with two younger (18, 24) nieces and didn't find this to be a pleasant scene. In fact, I was mortified. Some people left the audience after this and the library scene.
While the cinematography was beautiful in parts, there remain aspects of the movie I have yet to understand: The French soldier speaking to Briony in the hospital, the beach scene with the soldiers, and others. I just don't understand how they contributed to the movie except to add to its length. It was gory in the hospital scenes, too.
Overall, I wish I hadn't wasted my time seeing this movie. It left me with bad feelings, overall.