Not as powerful as the book, but definitely worth seeing.

Rating: 8/10 (24 January 2009)

I read the novel by Richard Yates a little while ago, and I must say, Sam Mendes & Co., did an excellent job at paying an enormous tribute to this American masterpiece.
I think Mr. Yates would've been very proud, even if much of the emotional wallop written so profoundly in the book, wasn't completely translated onto film. The novel left me gutted, raw, totally blown away by its shocking intensity and excruciating truths. I felt almost the same way after watching this incredible film, however, the experience wasn't nearly as visceral for me. But then, books have a way of gripping our senses much more palpably than cinema at times.
This film was superbly acted. I cannot overstate this enough. However, the pace of the film left me feeling like I was reading "cliff notes" of the novel. Like we were given only a skeleton of Yates' fleshy, meaty, gut-wrenching tale of 1950's suburbia.
Kate and Leo are very much at the top of their game here. The fact that neither one of them got an Oscar nom for their respective roles in this heartrending film leaves me profoundly perplexed. They both acted their butts off! I am pleased that Michael Shannon got a nom for his amazing contribution, but the sheer audacious exclusion of a Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress nomination leaves me fuming. The Academy needs to seriously (and quickly) buy a vowel.
The novel stands the test of time. It is remarkable. A literary masterpiece in every single way. It's amazing how Mr. Yates' words continue to reverberate after all this time, and I'm certain he would have been very, very pleased with the powerful resonance of this film.