Wow, do I ever disagree with 'Anonymous,' who thought the book was better. Yes, I agree the book was well written and the opening scene is one of the most powerful I have ever read. BUT-- one of the marks of a great book is that the author creates believable characters and then lets them create the story. (A great author NEVER imposes a plot development or, especially, an ending, on his or her characters.) The ending of the book version is powerful, but contrived. There are many other ways out of the dilemma than the one Booker consciously or unconsciously takes. The ending of the MOVIE on the other hand grows directly out of the characters and is not imposed at all. And changing the ending allows the writers to take out the other contrived scene-- the one at the outbuilding during the dance. The ONLY criticism I have of the movie is that the events in the first third or so are too rushed-- more like a summary than a story. Of course I realize that nobody is going to go see a four hour movie, but that's how long it needed to be. The acting is great-- ALL of it, even Redford, who usually plays the same character over and over again, but not this time. Newman did a fabulous job on the music. And the cinematography has GOT to win an Oscar-- if not, there's no fairness in the world.
Review of The Horse Whisperer
