Disappointed...the book was excellent

Rating: 5/10 (24 March 2008)

I made sure I read the novel before I saw the movie and I am very glad I did! The film did not cover most of which was in the novel and was nowhere near as intriguing or exciting. I was so disappointed, the costumes were beautiful but it was such a shame as this could have been a truly wonderful movie if someone had bothered to write a decent script! Scarlett Johanssen and Natalie Portman gave an adequate performance but it wasn't amazing and unfortunately, Eric Bana did not have much of a speaking role at all. Certain important parts were left out, for example, the birth of Mary's firstborn, Catherine, and then some things were just plain made up like the rape scene and the beginning which made no sense at all! I really hope in years to come, a brilliant director gives this another shot and creates a movie that reflects the greatness of the novel.