Book is much much better

Rating: Null/10 (16 September 2002)

I read this book in 1998 and this adaptation is disappointing. I thought it would be difficult to translate the store's neighborhood, the socio economic status of the various ex's and the guys from the store, into American terms. And they missed the mark.
If you liked the movie, you'll love the book. The work buddies are pretty close--Dick is surprisingly good. John Cusack is just okay, not really showing all the neurosis and passion of Rob. He seems too good looking and superficial to be really as miserable as the character in the book is. I disagree with most of the female casting choices. His mother, for instance, looks only about 10 years older, whereas in the book, you get the feeling that she's old enough that he feels guilty about disappointing her--30-35 years older. Sad to say, I couldn't watch it long enough to see if the scene where he goes to the movies with his parents is included--in the book, it's both funny and poignant. If you like this author, About a Boy is a much better adaptation of one of his books, which captures all the nuances of personality and self-deprecating sarcasm of the main character.