See the movie before reading the book

Rating: 3/10 (7 January 2007)

The book is thought provoking and a bit disturbing. When I finished reading the book, I was struck by Theo's transition. At the beginning, he is self absorbed and not empowered. At the end, hope and love transition him to a fulfilling life.
What struck me about the movie is it's focus on Baby Boomer's. The movie relies on Beatles style "all we need is love" music; leans toward 60's activists ability to finally make the world right; and a key character, Jaspar, is transformed from an aging, traditional professor in the book to an aging hippie in the movie. This movie shamelessly panders to the Baby Boomer generation. (Yes, I am a Baby Boomer) Boomer's leave the movie theater being even more self absorbed then when they entered the theater.
The movie also beats an old drum, war is bad. Vietnam Era generations have this well ingrained in their belief system. The message in the movie is not delivered with enough weight to sway the belief's of the Hawks in the world.
I found the book to be thought provoking. I found the movie to be shallow by comparison.