Sorry to digress, but some of us HAD gotten to talking about the movie not long ago. And, hey, no DS fix today or Monday anyway, so why not?
Saw it. IF I had been seeing it simply as a movie, I probably would have loved it. Since it was a movie from my favorite book of all time, I merely liked it. They did a LOT right. But the wrong part, was just painful.
Now, I admit it has been years and I don't remember all the details of the book. What I thought was melodramatic and made up at the end actually was toned down a little from the quick check I just made of the book. (Ok, they threw in a nose punch, but took out the tree falling on the car, which I don't think would have been very believable in a movie . And at least there were no car chases or guns involved!)
I pictured Ash as being older and LaMotte as being younger, but that is quibbling. That part of the movie was superb. What stuck in my craw was Aaron Eckhart as Roland. As if ANYONE could believe this guy as a subserviant academic! And how in the world could he ALWAYS have a 3 day beard growth? Too hunky, too macho, too stupidly adamant about avoiding relationships because he "hurt" someone deeply once. Accckkk, give me a break. I thought the lovely Gwyneth was perfect in the role, I may be prejudiced there, I ALWAYS like her.
Anyway, overall, can't help but have mixed feelings. There is no way a movie can capture the depth of the book, but they did do a good job of getting the essence of it. I just wish the part they screwed up hadn't been so integral to the credibility.