mr_dark_eyed

I watched this with an open mind. I loved the book (LOVED) and knew (read) that the movie wasn't a direct reflection of the book , which, given the nature and style of the book, makes sense. But what I didn't expect was how shallow and bad the 'adaptation' was. I thought that when a director decides to tackle such issues and to deal with such a great book, he would try harder, or at least be much deeper, and I thought such actors would not take part in something that bad. From the very beginning I was very unsatisfied. I thought I was watching a comedy. Something very American about the first part of the movie. The scene in the spa, the way Tomas was portrayed. Too cocky. A character with no 'weight' or even flesh. It's as though the director told Daniel 2 words to describe his role before they started shooting: You are a cocky womanizer. period. The way he was inspecting Tereza after she got out of the pool! I couldn't believe that it was actually happening. I was laughing, whereas I would be reading Kundera's deep thoughts about this chance encounter. about Fate. Did Tereza really have to pick her nose while waiting at Tomas' door for the first time? Is this really the way to show us how naive and simple she is? really, what kind of woman picks her nose while standing in front of a man she has a crush on (or any man)? And did she have to act like a dumb retarded person the whole time? Tomas.. I don't remember ever meeting someone like Tomas, in real life. He is so unconvincing. It's like a kids movie where characters are either black or white, so the little ones can tell who is good and who is evil. Can't a womanizer be more subtle? OK, he is handsome and we know he sleeps around and loves women, can you now make him a real human being, so we can buy the whole story? And what about the silly accents? Are they Czech? is that why they have accents? why are they talking in English then? If you want the audience to forget about the whole language issue, then make them speak in English and forget about the accents. Lets forget about the language and focus on the dialogue. But what's the point in making a British actor fake a strange accent in order to play a Czech character who speaks English with his Czech friends???? it only helped in keeping me aware all the time that these people are acting. Sabina's character was very irritating to me, while she was very intriguing in the book. The "Stop This Noise" scene was very bad. Franz was a character with no flesh or meat. Was he a weak character? why was he agreeing with her like that? In the book, we knew enough about him (and Sabina) so we could make sense of their relationship and interaction. But not here. It's as though the director relied on the fact that we know about the characters from the book and will fill in the gaps. That's what I was doing at least, relying on my knowledge of the characters to make sense of some scenes.

I can go on...

I think if you attempt to turn this unusual book into a film, then you should be able to use unusual ways to create an unusual film with unusual structure, as opposed to the conventional usual narrative and storytelling. It takes a brave daring filmmaker to deal with such book. Mr. Kaufmann is not. He belongs in Hollywood.

This film proves one thing: if you base your lousy film on a great book, there's good chance you will get away with it, and even get praised for it.

I guess I can't describe it in a better or shorter clearer way: Boring and Stupid. Acting? what acting? why are all the actors laughing while Reading their lines??? they just never stopped laughing or smiling even when it was the most "dramatic" moment! The "plot" was one of the most predictable plots in the history of TV. and not only is Sam a total $lut, but ugly as hell too!! what happened to that "actress"?? I remember she was hot in American Pie. here she is so damn ugly!!!! puffy face full of bags, or whatever these are. and the happy ending?? no one to tell the poor viewers that these 2 are doomed??? very soon he will wonder why he took her back (because she was hot in American Pie?? or because he used to drool over her topless pics when he was younger, on the internet??) He will soon start wondering if she ever slept with that Luke, but hiding it from him. He will soon start seeing how shallow and self centered she is. and he will hate how everyone just knows him as the husband who married the woman who kissed the other guy. (is there anyone who didn't know about her thing with Luke??) then he will start seeing other girls attractive and charming (and caring)! then he will start flirting, and maybe kissing them, making Sam taste her own poison. then will she accept his apology? or act like an ugly B!tch and go out again and kiss or flirt with the first sleazy a$$hole she meets??? so.. the actors can't act. the plot is so weak and predictable. you hate the Bride for being s|utty and selfish. the Groom for being an idiot. the 3rd person for being an arrogant dumb a$$hole.

sorry for all the swearing. but this "film" suxxxx. Big time.

that is why I kept watching. Lindsay Price. sexy and cute!! Everything else was so boring, and I knew the 'plot' will be exactly the way it is, from the very beginning. it is the most predictable ghost film. but probably one of very few ghost movies that don't scare or thrill. Rather.. turns you on. Thanks Lindsay Price.

a 7 year old kid would laugh at the silliness and stupidity of the plot, dialogue, and every single detail.

I think that film was only made for one sole purpose.. Lindsay Price. the 3 stars go to Lindsay. since I need one more line to be able to post this, I take the chance to mention how sexy Lindsay is.