I recommend this if you like drama comedy

Rating: 10/10 (23 December 2007)

Spoilers This was a great movie if you like drama comedy; it was sad, funny and interesting. It was totally different from the book. The book took place in Ireland; as somebody said, they "Americanized it." I think it would have been better to keep it in Ireland because this changed the story a lot. Not only was the scenery different, but she was in a different country with her husband from Ireland, who live in the USA; that changes the movie so much! She takes a trip to Ireland in the movie, but that also changes the movie as well, because in the book she lives there. Also, this movie was not very realistic. The way they met, when Holly was on a college trip, was very unrealistic and just plain ludicrous! In the book they were high school sweethearts. But on the positive side, Swang is such a great actress with great talent and beauty. I do not think the Jeffry Kenedy was all that hot looking as others have said, but yes he is talented at acting and singing. Still, he is definitely NOT that gorgeous.I thought the character from her late husband Gerry's band, whom she met in Ireland was better looking. At least Gerry and Holly complemented each other.Jeffery was more laid back whereas Holly was the more responsible and serious. There marriage life is not perfect; they have fights, but their love is strong enough to keep it together. In the book there fights do not seem to go beyond the petty fights such as who left the light on, contrary to the movie, where the movie begins when they arrived home from a family event, fighting because Jeremy wants to have a baby and Holly feels that it is not the right time. She is mad that he told the mother that Holly said they are not ready yet. They are also fighting about various other issues related to money, (due to the fact that Holly feels he is not saving enough for a bigger place to raise a child, something Holly felt they must do.) They fought over the fact that Gerry wasted money trying to start a business without discussing it with her. That kind of made me not like Gerry as much! What grown adult would do something so irresponsible without discussing it with his wife. But, overall I did think he had a nice personality. I guess making them fight over deeper issues added drama and made it more interesting. Seeing people fight over a light switch in a movie might not interest everybody.
After fighting, they make up. I know others thought the strip tease was funny but I thought it was a little gross! Then, the next scene is at Jeremy's funeral. That part was very sad; his parents did not come because the father had medical conditions, but it was never explained why the mother did not come.When holly decides to visit him, on a trip to Ireland planned by her late husband, they kind of seemed to imply that the mother was worried-that the husband (who cannot walk would come along) but she is her son for gosh sakes! That is no excuse! And the part where she admitted that when they first got married she wanted to kill Holly made me hate her, even if she got over it and was nice at that point. I mean she didn't want her grown son to get married? Give me a break! Even if he is young, so what; in her day people got married young. I did not like Kathy Bates' crabby personality, but Bates played it very well. The mother in the book, whose name was actually Elizabeth, was a lot sweeter, more tender, sympathetic and supportive, which to me was a lot nicer, even if it is not as realistic. I love Lisa Kudrow and she did an excellent job! She was funny and charismatic. I got such a kick out of her when she interviewed every guy she met; asking, "Are you gay" "Are you married," "are you-working?" That was hysterical! I did not like Sharon in that movie; she was obnoxous! She just lost her husband and already she is sending her to work! All in all, great acting and a great movie! Just so you readers know, I am not putting the movie down; overall it was entertaining, but the book is far better.