Different from the book

Rating: 7/10 (17 February 2013)

It was pretty good, but I really wasn't a fan of the main character (especially in the beginning). The movie also toys between adventure and drama and one of those specific molestation discovery movies, so I feel like it's interesting to watch a single time but not a movie you'd be likely to rewatch.
First reaction: The lead doesn't act well. At all. The way he talks to the diary at the beginning of the movie is really not believable. In the book, he is sensitive but optimistic and loving, signing his entries with "Love Always," and always wishing the best for everyone. In the movie, at the beginning he is annoying (eg curt reply to his nice English teacher) and depressed and definitely does not exude well- wishing. As the movie goes on, though, either you get used to the character or he becomes more believable. Especially believable in the end molestation scenes, though granted that may be because I don't know how people would actually act in real molestation discovery and hospital treatment situations like that.
That said, Patrick (Ezra Miller) played great. And Sam (Emma Watson) of course.
Also, from the very start the movie doesn't exactly follow the book. Which is fine if you haven't read the book, but annoying if you actually had read the book beforehand and are not just watching the movie.
For instance, the shop teacher Callahan actually likes Patrick's impersonation of him rather than chastises him for it, the girl in advanced English is Susan rather than a separate girl, Derek hits Charlie's sister under very different circumstances, Charlie's English teacher is an unmarried hippie rather than a married professional, etc. The movie doesn't just cut stuff out, it changes stuff.
Overall, though, the movie is engaging and does have some interesting philosophical aspects to think about.