Yes my friends, another film based an a novel by Philip Roth. Being a popular novelist does not mean the author is a good one. See spoiler note below to find out why, Mr.Roth tugs at the heart strings the wrong way most of the time.
Nicholas Meyer is an excellent screenplay writer & he does his best here, What can you do with a story like this using the following SPOILER.
in the last half hour we find out our heroine (well played by Penelope Cruz) needs an operation for breast cancer.. Mr Roth's novel takes place in this day and age, her reactions are those of a women of 50 years ago. One more bit of illogic is the scene in the hospital room; this is right after she is out of intensive care, there are no IV holders anywhere present,also her face & hair are perfectly made up. DID someone goof.
Now for what I liked , the acting & general production values are excellent.
Ben Kingsley & Penelope Cruz are first rate in a May-December romance. The other major roles are equally good, & played by Dennis Hopper & Patricia Clarkson, Peter Sarsgaard as Ben's Doctor son is also first rate. Isobel Coixet is the director, she seems capable.
The music score (mostly piano solos) is excellent. If you pay little attention to the last half hour I feel you will still enjoy this drama.
Ratings:*** (out of 4 ) 81 points(out of 100) IMDb 7 (out of 10)
Nicholas Meyer is an excellent screenplay writer & he does his best here, What can you do with a story like this using the following SPOILER.
in the last half hour we find out our heroine (well played by Penelope Cruz) needs an operation for breast cancer.. Mr Roth's novel takes place in this day and age, her reactions are those of a women of 50 years ago. One more bit of illogic is the scene in the hospital room; this is right after she is out of intensive care, there are no IV holders anywhere present,also her face & hair are perfectly made up. DID someone goof.
Now for what I liked , the acting & general production values are excellent.
Ben Kingsley & Penelope Cruz are first rate in a May-December romance. The other major roles are equally good, & played by Dennis Hopper & Patricia Clarkson, Peter Sarsgaard as Ben's Doctor son is also first rate. Isobel Coixet is the director, she seems capable.
The music score (mostly piano solos) is excellent. If you pay little attention to the last half hour I feel you will still enjoy this drama.
Ratings:*** (out of 4 ) 81 points(out of 100) IMDb 7 (out of 10)