A beautifully filmed adaptation of the Taich Yamada novel "Strangers," the intimacy and tendernss Andrew Haigh captures in this film is a rare thing. The film can put a receptive viewer in a suspended state of mournfulness and loss that is universal. It's a rare accomplishment for a filmmaker, here aided by the magnificent performances of his cast, Andrew Svcott, Paul Mescal, Jaimie Bell and the notable (though predictable) lovely performance by Claire Foy.
Finely observed details take on weight and a growing mystery that leads to...for me...a trite ending that isn't worthy of what we've watched. There is some obligation in a screenplay's adaptation that leaves little room wholesale change. But what works on a book's page may not work in a film. I wanted a greater resolution than what was offered, and that may be the result of how profound the 85% of the film achieved. And then it wasn't.
Finely observed details take on weight and a growing mystery that leads to...for me...a trite ending that isn't worthy of what we've watched. There is some obligation in a screenplay's adaptation that leaves little room wholesale change. But what works on a book's page may not work in a film. I wanted a greater resolution than what was offered, and that may be the result of how profound the 85% of the film achieved. And then it wasn't.