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Title: Much too close to the book
Review: I was disappointed by the film's inability to 'open out' the book. This isn't the fault of the cast - they pretty much all turn in likeable performances (although Joan Cusack if miscast), but way too much of the film is Cusack talking to camera, and almost all the dialog is lifted straight out of the book. What deviations there are (skateboarding kids who turn out to be talented artistes) are jarring and out of key with the rest of the film. If you've read the book within the past six months I'd suggest you wait awhile.
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