Could have been superb.

Rating: 7/10 (28 November 2009)

Let me start by suggesting that anyone who has seen this film and has not read the book to do so urgently. The book is an absolutely spectacular piece of literature compared to the film. Also, having such complimenting visuals to assign whilst reading which I will come to explain really make it worthwhile.
I have read in many sources that Danny Boyle did not bother to even read the book in preparation for his role as director. Very unfortunate, and this has major implications for the film. I will run through the film step by step. 1. Actor selection - generally extremely good. Some fantastic choices, really encompassing what people reading the book might imagine the actual people to be like. Tilda Swinton as Sal, the french couple, Keaty, Carlyle as Daffy - all brilliant choices. Dicaprio as Richard is also a fine selection. Boyle decided to deviate on the characters nationalities from the book, unusual but something I could live with. However for some bizarre reason one of the main and most intriguing characters from the book, Jed, is omitted entirely. Strange. 2. Location. Visually, this film was as true to the book and subsequently as perfect as can be. Fantastic real representation of what I only could imagine whilst reading the novel. 3. Plot and screenplay. Oh dear. Apparently the concept of utopia and the fascinating disillusionment of the characters with it was not good enough to sell cinema tickets for an evidently rather simple minded Boyle. He instead got rid of most of what made the book such a good read, and instead through together some petty romance to entertain viewers. Disappointing shortfall. These fictitious romances also altered the plot as well, and not exactly for the best. Boyle also deviated from the epic climax of the film. 4. The soundtrack. Wow. Fantastic auditory selections to encompass beautiful visuals. Although it was not the main movie theme song Pure Shores that really emphasizes what this work is really about, but instead songs such as Porcelain and 8 Ball.
Overall this film still scores pretty high on my personal scale. Unfortunately though it is a true tale of two cities - superb elements twinned with extreme disappointments. Would have loved to have seen this produced under the wing of a more competent and engaging director.