The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018) User Reviews

a tale of friendship, romance, and love of literature

[CineMuseFilms · 8/10 · 25 April 2018]

There are so many levels on which one can enjoy the curiously titled The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)that describing the film is a challenge. Like many British period dramas, it has an epic quality in how it reflects on the world as it was in the 1940s. Sumptuously filmed and beautifully acted, it blends historical insight into a finely-crafted tale of mystery and romance.

Other than history buffs, most people would be unaware that German troops occupied the British Channel Islands of Guernsey and Jersey in 1940-45. Many Island children were evacuated to England just prior to the occupation and the invasion encountered virtually no military resistance. Under Nazi rule, many Islanders were sent to forced labour and concentration camps in Germany and all farm produce was confiscated for military use. The film opens with a group of Islanders out after curfew, having enjoyed an illicit roast pig and home-brewed gin even though strict food rationing was in place. Facing immediate arrest, they concoct an excuse about being members of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society who have been enriching their minds while feeding on potato peels, as the Fuhrer would want. From this serendipitous moment, a local tradition is born.

Switching to 1946, we meet Juliet Ashton (Lily James) a successful writer living comfortably in London and pondering ideas for her next book. Pursued by a wealthy American suitor, she enjoys the giddy glamour of a British high society that is rebuilding after the war. A letter from a member of the Guernsey Literary Society excites her interest and she soon travels to the Island to learn more. She becomes enchanted with its idyllic village life and rural tranquillity and how each member of the Society has their own wartime story to tell. There is also a new romance simmering where least expected, as well as guarded secrets and strong resistance to a book being written about them.

This simple plotline understates the multiple sub-stories that are a montage of war-time Guernsey, including dark themes of Nazi collaboration, the trauma of children separated from families, and uplifting themes about how literature can bring people together across time and space. The original novel on which the film is based was framed around letters between Juliet and Society members, so the film's timeframes shift frequently but with seamless continuity. There are several charming exchanges about writers and novels that you would expect from lovers of literature. The filming aesthetic evokes the era with authenticity, while Lily James and the ensemble cast are superb.

Some might say that this story is told through a soft-focus lens, mediated through the gentility of Juliet's privileged life and self-indulgent curiosity about the lives of others. That may be so, but her narrative perspective accentuates the world of difference between war-time London and Guernsey. Without such insights, the story would be just a warm-hearted melodrama. But the film offers much more than that. It is an engaging detective story, a study of survival under wartime occupation, and a tale of friendship, romance, and love of literature.

This is my ultimate comfort movie for the dark times.

[yusufpiskin · 7/10 · 16 August 2020]

"Our Friday night book club became a refuge to us. A private freedom to feel the world growing darker all around you, but you only need a candle to see new worlds unfold. That is what we found in our society."

I loved this so much with every fiber in my being. I just finished the book earlier this month and finally sat down to watch the movie. It was so beautiful and absolutely perfect. The characters all felt like family and the story kept me on the edge of my seat, just like the book did. I strongly recommend this because it is such a good story and feels like a warm hug. Dawsey owns my heart and Mark can leave.

wait! no superheroes? no big action scenes? PASS!

[yassaa-m · 8/10 · 10 August 2018]

Kidding, this was truly such a hidden gem, someone recommended i watch it and i did, now i can't be more grateful. It's one of those films you find yourself still thinking about days after watching, i find myself tearing up a couple of times throughout the film, which is something i haven't done this entire year. Filled with charming and lovable characters, shot in a beutiful island with beautiful scenery, heartwarming story about love, family and friendship, now i find myself tempted to read the novel just to spend more time with those characters, i feel like a mini series formula would have been better for this adoptation of the novel though, rather than a 2 hours movie which leaves you just wanting more. Anyway, i highly recommend this if you are tired of all the blockbuster movies like me and just want a simple light hearted movie to enjoy.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

[christianfietz · 7/10 · 29 April 2018]

It is not often that a beloved novel can be adapted so originally and yet so faithfully. A unique and rather wonderful experience.

Juliet Ashton (Lily James) struggles under the trauma and horror of Post-World-War-Two London until a letter puts her into contact with Dawsey Adams (Michiel Huisman;) a member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Soon enough, she finds herself visiting the island and hearing the stories of comfort, love, horror and pure resilience from Guernsey's eccentric inhabitants.

Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows' novel, on which this is based, brought to life one of many untold stories from the War. That story being the NAZI occupation of the English Isles. Writing in the form of letters, it is easy to see how the novel became a personal exploration of the power of storytelling. Indeed, the literary society is a group of friends using reading and friendship as a means of escaping their war-torn situation. Newell is very aware of these powerful themes and works wonders to bring them to the screen.

Much of the film is made up of Guernsey's characters recounting their stories to Juliet, accommodated by flashbacks. There is no minimum of truth poured into these tales to make them relevant and rather confronting. What ties them all together is the resilience of their friendship through these harsh times and what this raw bravery truly accomplished.

Beside these recollections is an old-fashioned love and hope story. Juliet is quick to fall for the island of Guernsey and the friends she finds there. At a time when the people of Guernsey needed new love and support, she provides it with flair. In many ways, this is a story of finding hope out of trauma and love when you have nothing else left.

Even the cinematography of the film resembles these morals. London is grey on the outside and artificially coloured in any delights in presents. Guernsey on the other hand, is presented with rolling mountains and mighty waves crashing against the shore. A breath of fresh air for Juliet and an opportunity for a new beginning for her as much as the society.

Lily James balances realism, horror and hope in her performance as Juliet and her relationships with fellow actors are a credit to her talents. So many actors give wonderous performances that it would be impossible to name them all yet Jessica Brown Findlay needs acknowledging as Elizabeth. Her character serves as an arc of hope during the actual Occupation and she delivers marvellously.

Perhaps the most original aspect of the film comes during the credits. Playing an audio-recording of a meeting of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society brings the film back to its core roots and ties up the rest of the film to a nice conclusion.

Wise, witty, confronting and yet full of heart, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a real and wonderful story. The only warning that must be advised to viewers: apparently potato peel pie is not as delightful as the film. Avoid consumption!

Be warned this film contains acting!

[jakits · 10/10 · 28 April 2018]

I was intrigued by the title so thought give it a go. disappointingly there were no special effects, explosions or alien monsters just a simple story relayed to us by actors of all things,because of all this it will not qualify for any awards other than my own lowly opinion. I laughed I cried, became angry and gave it the accolade of the best film I have seen for a long time, whatever tosh other people may say about this tale I enjoyed it, so lets have some more films with a story to tell without the bangs and bloodbaths

A nicely baked pie that isn't cooked all the way through but has enough filling to make it edible

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 23 April 2018]

Saw 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' as a fan of period drama, as someone who is trying to watch as many films of the year as possible and who likes a lot of the actors in the cast. It's great enough seeing such talent on their own, and even more of a delight to have so much talent together.

The idea for the story was also very interesting and it was nice to see a film based in a fairly under-explored period of wartime history. The title was not hugely appetising though. Seeing the film with my sister yesterday, found 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' to be a pleasant and well done if falling short of great film. It is engrossing enough and should have enough to appeal to a reasonable sized audience, it may appeal more to older audiences but those who want to know more about this period of wartime history or want to gain some knowledge of it should get something out of it.

Not a perfect film by all means. Will admit to having a good idea of, well actually knowing, how 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' was going to end well before it ended, with the love-related aspect of the story being telegraphed a little too early.

Didn't care for the character of Mark. Despite him serving some point to the story, with a crucial part of the plot being resolved with his involvement, he was rather one-dimensional and didn't have much personality or anything to make one endear to him (he also behaves like a jerk later on). Within the period, he seemed a little out of place. The same goes for how he is played. Matthew Goode's part was also on the underwritten side but he was much easier to like.

Pacing at times could have been tighter, some draggy spots here and there.

However, there is an awful lot to like about 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society'. The production values and cast are the biggest selling points. It's a beautifully shot film with very handsomely evocative production and costume design that does give one a real sense of period.

Even better are the cast, with Lily James a charming and very rootable lead and Michiel Huisman cutting a handsome presence. Their chemistry is warm and tender. Tom Courtenay is understated and amusing, having one of the film's best lines near the end, while Penelope Wilton as the most rounded supporting character is heart-wrenching. Jessica Brown Findley is also strong.

Mike Newell does solidly directing, not exceptional but he skilfully stops 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' from being too frothy or too intense. The script is thought-provoking, with some tension and a lot of emotion. The end credits were a lovely touch. A good job is done showing what living in the period and before was like while not being too one-sided. There is genuine emotional power here, with a back-story and main conflict, centring around the consequences of significant loss, that provides a lot of poignancy and hope.

One does feel the love and friendship between the characters and there are some nice revelations along the way in solving this intriguing story where one hopes for a happy outcome to the mystery/mission dominating it. The music, when used, is neither intrusive or too low-key.

In summary, good, pleasant and engaging film that could have been even better. 7/10 Bethany Cox

You all should be proud.

[thefern-62996 · 10/10 · 5 May 2018]

This is a message to everyone involved in this film. I hope you check your reviews on IMDB. As you look back on your careers I hope you consider this film one of your highlights. You did a fabulous job. Great sets, fabulous writing, spot on hair and costumes! I was enthralled by your acting and direction. A great night out at the movies. Thank you all.

It's the script always the script

[RaySinclair_ · 7/10 · 12 May 2018]

It's a well written story, and beautifullly shot, an emotional moving film. A love story is the sub plot , to the main plot of nazi occupied channel island ..unrequited love , love found on a journey to discover the truth of what really happened during the occupation in WW2 . A good film . More than just a love story .

Not Guernsey!

[mike-vaudin · 9/10 · 3 May 2018]

I declare a vested interest as I am a Guernseyman who has lived here all my life. The film is very entertaining, well acted and interesting. I recommend it as a love story with a Guernsey historic background that is reasonably accurate. Sadly the film was not shot in Guernsey for various reasons and although the scenery is lovely to look at it's not as beautiful as our Island. Come and visit Guernsey and enjoy our Island.

A beautiful romance set in the Brit Channel Islands of WWII.

[JohnDeSando · 10 August 2020]

"Do you suppose it's possible for us to already belong to someone before we've met them?" Juliet Ashton (Lily James)

The Guernsey Literary Society and Potato Peel Pie Society will make you long for a permanent return of the old-fashioned, tear-jerking, gorgeously photographed war-drama romance. Together with the similar Summerland in recent Netflix release, Guernsey displays the Brits' gift for crafting melodrama and morality in the spirit of the rambling novels of Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, and a host of 19th century writers without peer.

To facilitate joyful tears, director Mike Newell, who made his name with Four Weddings and a Funeral, casts the incomparable Lily James as writer Juliet Ashton in post-war London; her success at crafting romantic tales and biographies (Ann Bronte, no less) brings her to Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands occupied in WWII by Nazis because, although a self-governing dependency of the British crown, it is closer to Europe than England. She is open to the society's tale of survival under Germany's thumb and to the thrill of writing Guernsey's tale of liberation.

One tension comes from her connection with three men, each love completely different, bringing her to fulfillment in sometimes heartbreaking ways. The story's glory is the depth of her feeling and the challenges to express her love in ways that do not hurt but edify. Add to that a detective story that subtly weaves a motif of gender equality.

Conflicts arise, and not just with the Nazis, although the imprisonment of a whole population by evil occupiers begs a comparison with our global pandemic, whose ruthless appropriation of our freedom promises to occupy longer than Nazis ever could. However, a writer and soul like Juliet inevitably can free a population and herself.

Filmed on the coasts of Guernsey, Cornwall, and Devon, Guernsey Literary has all a lover of the romantic story and smashing cinematography could want. To call it overly-romantic is to identify its strength-in a cynical world such as ours, a lyrical lift is welcome, and done as well as this, it is to welcome just another example of high art.

A London writer forms a bond with the members of a book club on the island of Guernsey

[clivehodges · 7/10 · 17 April 2018]

British and French troops fighting Nazi Germany suffer a stunning defeat in May 1940 on mainland Europe. Germany invades the Channel Islands, livestock is impounded and a night curfew imposed.

Late one night, Elizabeth (Jessica Brown Findlay) Eben (Tom Courtenay) Isola (Katherine Parkinson) and Dawsey (Michiel Huisman) are noisily making their way home after feasting on a roasted pig that Amelia (Penelope Wilton) has hidden from the invaders. A blinding headlight terrifies the friends and a group of soldiers wielding machine guns prepare to arrest the group for being out after dark.

Quick-thinking Elizabeth offers the suggestion that they are merely returning home from a meeting of their book club. She fumbles around for a name ... and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is born.

The islanders eagerly take the opportunity to meet regularly to discuss whatever books they can lay their hands on.

The meetings continue after the war. The friends wish to add to their library and Dawsey writes to Juliet Ashton (Lily James) a name he's found inside a book by Charles Lamb, requesting the name of a London book shop that might stock further books by that author.

Juliet, a successful writer with a bestseller recently published, is struggling to find inspiration for her next book. She's intrigued by the curiously named Guernsey Literary & Potato Pie Peel Society and - as one does on the spur of the moment - flies off to Guernsey to meet its members.

The film is based on a novel by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Burrows that sold 7.5 million copies worldwide. Eben, in the film, is an amalgam of three characters in the book: the fisherman, the postmaster and the islander who thought up the recipe for the very first potato peel pie.

The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society is a charming, feel-good romantic drama. There's much to admire: a good story-line, excellent acting, unobtrusive music, a mystery to unravel, touches of humour and a few emotional, teary, tissue-dabbing moments. It's also predictable, minimises the blood and gore from the aircraft attacks in the re-enactments and, at just over two hours, overstays its welcome.

Faultless example of how to make a good film.

[Maverick1962 · 10/10 · 9 May 2021]

Maybe the best film I've seen this year. Lily James is not only a charismatic presence on the screen, she has both an outward and inner beauty that currently is hard to match. Based on a best selling novel, this film has not only top notch acting right down to a four year old girl but wonderful dialogue, an intriguing story of some mystery, beautiful scenery and tight direction without any excess shots. Without giving anything away I felt myself willing Ms James to do the right thing and what a convincing actress she's turned out to be after first entrancing us walking down that staircase in Downton Abbey if you saw that. As a footnote, look out for at least three other actors from Downton. I loved this film and rarely give 10 stars.

Cinematovraphy.

Decent mindless fun

[allstarrunner · 6/10 · 4 September 2018]

The movie starts off great, it really sucks you in right at the beginning and even manages to get the emotions flowing as you feel for the characters and the circumstances you find them in. The plot does really well until about half way through the movie and then it starts to muddle around and the pace slows down significantly and thus my emotional attachment to the characters. At the end of the day it is still a good film, just wish it was trimmed a bit and maybe remove about 15 minutes so it flows a bit better. The main love story is also about as cliche as it can possibly get, but I suppose that is somewhat expected with this genre.

Overly sentimental and predictable romance

[Paradroid78 · 4/10 · 20 May 2018]

I watched this mistakenly thinking it was going to be a historical drama, and boy was I wrong.

Rich city girl that has it all, including a sophisticated fianée and a gay best friend goes away to spend a few days with simpler folk in the country side where she meets the true love of her life.

Does that story sound familiar? Sure it does, it's the plot of a dime a dozen romance movies and this one's not really any difference. Any historical drama is served up purely in the interest of furthering the romance plot and not a single thing comes as a surprise in this overly sentimental movie that is 100% predictable from start to finish.

well work

[Kirpianuscus · 16 September 2020]

For me, this film was ...a challenge. I adore the novel and an adaptation of it wakes up the curiosity not very different by Isola's. But the film is part nice, part good and part adorable adaptation .Lily James gives the expected Juliet Ashton,Matthew Good is not a bad Sydney and Guernsey after war seems be just the island from novel. But the precious gifts are Tom Courtenay as Eben, Penelope Wilton as Amelia and , for me, a too young Isola - but Katherine Parkinson making a great job - and, off course, Michiel Huisman as Dawsey, real different by my portrait of reader but working in seductive manner. Not doubts, an inspired Eli from Kit Connor. Sure, it is not perfect. But, if you ignore the book inspiring the film or your memory about the lines, images of book is not exactly precise faithfull, it is a very seductive film. And, maybe, the happy solution for an adorable novel. Sure, important remains the indulgence.

What a surprise! Charles and Mary Lamb's book was one of my childhood's favorites

[irinafiruti · 7/10 · 26 August 2019]

...so I dearly related to this part of the story. People get connected by all sort of unexpected things, so why not by a good book? Marguerite Yourcenar's " Denier du reve" thread of narration follows the fate of a ...dime handed by various characters that get connected to each other in this way. On the other hand, I also connected to the story of the club itself which is not so singular as it may looks: harsh times have the virtue of bringing people together and, growing up in the Romania's comunist era, I have lived among the members of a group like this, only they were rather tied one to the others through...music. Gatherings were organized ( or spontaneous) semi-clandestine to listen to classical music which was also a pretext to spread news from the free world and listen to free radio channels from the West. There was also a custom to bring somethig to eat and in those times when food was scarce and precious we have not been far from eating something as bad as a potato peel pie! But most of all the air was vibrating of this joy of togetherness and of full support between us. A refuge from the adversities which made those long decenies more endurable. So I fully recognize this experience and I can testify it's authenticity! Back to the movie, the chemistry between the characters is obvious, you can feel the intensity of their emotions far from the screen difficultly fading away after the end. The characters are not fully developped though but as I haven't read the book so I can't say if it's the plot or the book. From this perspective I kept doubting the veridicity of the relation between a writer and a farmer - there can be some exceptions, of course, but the "usual" writer and the "usual" famer live in such different worlds that one can seriously doubt that a deep connection is to be established between the two. Or as far as I'm concerned, a film is art but has to stay true to human nature, otherwise is just someone's fantasy, which I am not interested in.

a genuine beauty

[jamesmcmanimm-34537 · 10/10 · 7 August 2018]

This movie is all Class, the storyline is a sincere work of art , this forgotten island is the story of courage of the people who lived there throuought the war years , Lily James gives an Oscar performance. The best movie for a long while.

Bravo! I loved every second of watching it.

[hannahdane · 7/10 · 4 November 2021]

Juliet Ashton is a best selling author, who is engaged to a rich American Soldier, Mark Reynolds. But, still there's something missing for her. Company of like minded people who share same grief from war like how she feels after losing her parents to the war. In the English channel island, Guernsay, she finds peace, love, companionship with The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel society. They all have a secret, and Juliet can't resist the attachment she feels towards the local, good-looking farmer Dawsey Adams and his daughter Kit.

Personally, I loved the pacing, Cinematography, Chemistry and acting. It was such a wholesome movie and I absolutely loved it. The building up of the story. I haven't seen such a beautiful film in a while. Michael Huisman and Lilly James, along with other actors nailed their roles. Will be in my favourite films for as long as I live.

Very deliberately paced and lovely to watch.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 2 January 2020]

The story begins in London in 1946. Now that the war is over, Juliet Ashton is a best-selling author and she should be happy now that she's become engaged to a rich and handsome American soldier. But she seems a bit lost despite her success. One thing that piques her interest is a letter she's received from Guernsey (one of the Channel Islands off the coast of France). It's from a man who is looking for a book and who is part of the The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society...a book club consisting of about a half dozen members. Instead of just sending the man the book, she decides to go to Guernsey and meet this book club. However, although they loved hosting her, there is some sort of secret about this group...a secret that Juliet is determined to find out for herself.

The biggest praise in this film probably goes to the director, as the story is simple but Mike Newell manages to make the most of it. Some lovely performances, great pacing and a lovely script all work together to tell a story that really hook you...and if you like romances, you're sure to enjoy this movie.

By the way, one of the best parts about story is its setting. Few Americans know anything about Guernsey and I enjoyed learning about the German occupation of the island during the war. Very interesting.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: Very British Drama

[brankovranjkovic · 7/10 · 22 April 2018]

Fictional historical drama, based on the best-selling book of the same name. The reason for the extraordinarily long title is explained in the opening sequence.

Set in 1940's Nazi occupied Guernsey, a small group of islanders regularly meet to discuss any books they can find, and this continues after the war.

Stars Lily James as a successful author who receives a letter out of the blue from one of the literary society members, who gets her name and address from the sleeve of another book requesting she sends him more of the same.

More letters are exchanged and she eventually decides to visit the society as research for her next book. At this point the film becomes a detective story and the author uncovers a tragic chain of events.

This is a charming film about coping with loss and the value of community. Recommended, especially if you're a fan of Downton Abbey style drama and it's cast.

Beautiful Adaptation of the book!

[connieelancaster · 9/10 · 13 May 2018]

I loved this film!! Having read the book and it being one of my all time favourite books I was a little wary of the film, as they often don't do the book justice. However, this is an exception! I thought it was beautifully made and the casting was brilliant with great chemistry between them. The only thing that did let it down was one of, what I felt, was a larger plot from the book being left out. It would have made it complete to have the ending and how the ending happened stayed more true to book, but it was still a beautiful ending and would highly recommend to anyone!

A favorite book

[alk-27135 · 6/10 · 22 August 2018]

Was basically ruined. Three Male screenwriters and a male director. Honestly, I think they ruined the voice. Juliet was much less confident, outgoing, and witty. The book Juliet makes me laugh out loud. The secondary characters were given unnecessary flaws. Markham Reynolds character was redeemed from being an ass to a wronged man. On the other hand, excellent casting. Everyone was wonderful.

love and books

[dromasca · 8/10 · 5 March 2022]

One of my dreams is to visit Guersnay and the other islands that the Brits call the Channel Islands. I am fascinated by the history, landscapes and stories of those who visited them. Now another reason has been added - watching the 2018 film 'The Guernsay Literary and Potato Pie Society' by Mike Newall. The director of the ultimate British film in the genre of 'good feeling' (I mean, of course, 'Four Weddings and a Funeral') manages to turn a war drama combined with a story about the power of the written word and reading into another film that belongs to this genre in which he is an expert. The result is one of those films that separates the opinions of critics from those of the majority of the public. This time my opinions go hand in hand with those of the general public. 'Guernsay' (allow me to abbreviate the name) is a movie that I liked, I was interested in, I was excited about, I felt good after viewing it. That was the goal, wasn't it?

We are dealing with two stories. The outer one has as its heroine Juliet Ashton, a London journalist and writer, who entertains with a group of Guernsey residents during World War II a correspondence related to their passion for reading. The emotional and intriguing story of the group of simple people who find moral support in their love of books in the only English territory under German occupation causes her to travel after the war to the British island, located much closer to the continent than England, to meet them personally. She will find not only a group of people who survived the hard times of the war in various ways, but also a mystery about the disappearance of one of the members of the club. Gradually a story of heroism and betrayal, impossible love and social prejudice is revealed to her. In addition, her existence will be disturbed, including her love life.

Critics of the film blame it for clichés in the plot (almost everything that happens is predictable) and for creating the image of an idealized nice and sweet England that did not exist and does not exist in reality. Even if I accept these flaws, they seem minor to me compared to the charm of each scene, the emotional intensity of the story, the depth and psychological diversity of the characters. Of course, much of the deep impression that this film made to me is due to the impression the performances of the actors made on me. I should list them all, but I'll just name Lily James, in the lead role, a character one can't help but fall in love with, and Tom Courtney, the rebellious young man from the 'kitchen sink' movies, the British equivalent and contemporary of the French New Wave, now at the age of great roles that conclude an impressive career. 'Guernsay' is a film that I recommend to all those who believe in the power of books, who love historical films and romantic stories, and who love England. In fact, is anybody else left out? Maybe just a few movie critics.

pretty good

[beckycollier-09346 · 7/10 · 12 August 2018]

I liked the movie but i don't think they read the same book i did.

A soulless and sad version of a beautiful story

[krspresser · 5/10 · 22 August 2018]

I am utterly disappointed with the screenplay for this incredible story. The book was wonderful. It had deep and complex characters. It wasn't just your average love story wherein two people find each other. It was a love story about a community. How they loved, how they lost, how they survived and stayed strong. It was a love story about a woman finding out where she truly belonged and realizing who she wanted to be. It was a love story about finding unexpected family in people you barely knew. And of course, it was a love story of two people realizing what they meant to each other. So to save time, the writers mostly skipped to that last bit. And in doing so, they robbed ALL the female characters of their strength and confidence. They made them needy and reactive. Not just the lead; ALL of them. If you've not read the book, this movie is a cute and generic romance with all the typical elements Hollywood requires. Nothing memorable for good or ill. Which is a shame, because the book offered so much more.