Reading these reviews its easy to think "well, you either love it, or you hate". I am in the middle. I will say, I wish IMDB allowed half stars as I would rate it 7.5. Had I not read the book, it would get a 9.
Any production company taking this on really had an impossible job ahead of them. The book is hallowed ground. No matter what, there will be people that hate the show. I absolutely loved the book, it's truly brilliant writing, I'm not sure any series or movie would ever do it justice.
First off, it must be noted that the lead actor is indeed, blind. Some of the reviews talk about how she really didnt know how to "play blind" which is just hilarious. She is definitely not how I envisioned Marie, but I think she did a great job. Her scenes with Hugh Laurie were wonderful. Speaking of Laurie, he was also very very good. He drew me in and I cared about his character. Mark Ruffalo...not so much. I really like Mark Ruffalo, but he was incredibly miscast in this role. Whatever that accent was meant to be...it wasn't. It seriously took away from the character completely. His actiing was not bad at all...but lordy, that accent was a complete distraction.
Dear readers of the book. Prepare to be severely disappointed with the ending. To me, it was blasphemy. It couldnt be more different from the book in many ways. The entire final chapter in 1974 is completely ignored. Blasphemy I tell you! That being said...if you have NOT read the book, I suppose the ending is satisfying, though felt very rushed. The entire series felt very rushed. Knowing the book, it easily couldve, and shouldve, been 8 episodes Overall, I did enjoy it. But its pretty essential to separate yourself as a viewer of a decent series, and a reader of one of the most gorgeous, brilliant books ever written.
Any production company taking this on really had an impossible job ahead of them. The book is hallowed ground. No matter what, there will be people that hate the show. I absolutely loved the book, it's truly brilliant writing, I'm not sure any series or movie would ever do it justice.
First off, it must be noted that the lead actor is indeed, blind. Some of the reviews talk about how she really didnt know how to "play blind" which is just hilarious. She is definitely not how I envisioned Marie, but I think she did a great job. Her scenes with Hugh Laurie were wonderful. Speaking of Laurie, he was also very very good. He drew me in and I cared about his character. Mark Ruffalo...not so much. I really like Mark Ruffalo, but he was incredibly miscast in this role. Whatever that accent was meant to be...it wasn't. It seriously took away from the character completely. His actiing was not bad at all...but lordy, that accent was a complete distraction.
Dear readers of the book. Prepare to be severely disappointed with the ending. To me, it was blasphemy. It couldnt be more different from the book in many ways. The entire final chapter in 1974 is completely ignored. Blasphemy I tell you! That being said...if you have NOT read the book, I suppose the ending is satisfying, though felt very rushed. The entire series felt very rushed. Knowing the book, it easily couldve, and shouldve, been 8 episodes Overall, I did enjoy it. But its pretty essential to separate yourself as a viewer of a decent series, and a reader of one of the most gorgeous, brilliant books ever written.