I know this movie was originally a book, but it is a book I haven't read. So, not only can I not speak to how well it is adapted, I'll be talking from the perspective of evaluating the story purely from a movie-goer's view.
This movie was a real quality movie, and a tear-jerker. Why don't they make adult movies of this quality? Is it that such a task is impossible?
The heartbreaks of junior high life. The ups and downs of a coming of age. The balancing act of fancy and reality.
And why do good friendship movies end with one friend dying or leaving?
The heaven/hell theology was atrocious in that the view stated is the view the world would like to believe, not the truth. However, in the context of the story, it isn't dwelt on aside from it being a natural question a grieving person would ask, and the person hearing what we--both the griever and the audience--want to hear in the context of the story. Too bad. It wouldn't have taken much to turn it true, but would turning the story true (as in carpentry straight) would Leslie's character been unable to hold up to being consistent and believable herself?
It was nice to see a balanced boy bullies and girl bullies in the story.
(After watching author and director commentary:)
What a difference context makes. The real life inspiration for the story for the author--that was missing information from my view earlier/above. It makes the story sweeter now. And I like the view expressed (paraphrased): "If the book gets to be too much, put it down. It will be there later. That's the nice thing about books." (author)
The editorial/commentary/interview also illuminated Leslie's theology as something she was "poor" in to parallel Jess's financially poor state. Hmm....
Overall, well done, guys. Well done.
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