Disappointing screenplay

Rating: 6/10 (3 February 2000)

Quite a good story but I must say that I am quite disappointed. That's mainly because I have read the book and there were many changes made in the screenplay.
I simply could NOT believe they left out Jed's character (a central character from the book) from the movie. Only the first hour of the movie follow closely to the book, everything strayed away after the first hour. Right up to the end.
But as John Hodge (the screenwriter) had mentioned, "Novels are subtle, screenplays blunt". As in most adaptations, characters had to be combined and many MAJOR changes were made (I wished the Richard-Francoise-Etienne triangle didn't turn out like what they did in the movie).
All in all, it is a good movie.. but I would strongly suggest to those who have not read the book go see the movie first, then read it.. or else you just might be a WEE BIT disappointed like yours truly.