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jmichaeli
Reviews
A Home at the End of the World (2004)
Disappointing...
For anyone who has read the book, this film version will be very disappointing - especially the ending. The ending in the book leaves questions open and hope still alive. The movie has a completely different ending and it is a bit of a downer, especially since it is missing a very important character from the book - Erich, Jonathon's "boyfriend." There is a hole in the development of Jonathon's character because of this omission and an even bigger whole in the meaning of the story.
I questioned Collin Farrell playing Bobby before seeing the film, but he was the best thing in the movie. He really was Bobby. I'm am greatly impressed with his portrayal and have a new sense and appreciation of his acting abilities. I would not be surprised if he at least gets an Oscar nomination for this.
The other characters were played well. Two observations: 1) Alice would have been the perfect role for Sissy Spacek if she were given more to work with; 2) It would have been very helpful to know what Jonathon's father (Ned) did for a living since there were so many references to films. In the book there is much made of the fact that he owns a movie theatre. It is important in understanding some of the symbolism in the story.
There also seemed to be some editing problems, though this could have been the copy sent to the theatre I was in. It was choppy in places with just clicks to the next scene with no transition.
I think if I had not read the book, the movie would have been a different experience for me. This is one time I can truly say the book was better than the movie.