The Goldfinch

I have mixed feelings. There is always an element of personal outlook in regard to novels that have been transposed onto the big screen - this movie is a prime example. I finished Donna Tarts' 'The Goldfinch' yesterday and watched the movie out of sheer curiosity. I think my rating would be much lower without the context of finishing the book so recently. If there is no previous knowledge of characters, setting or the significance of the materialism in both antiques and paintings, the feature is sadly shallow and skims the surface of so many important plot-lines. Yet, I soften due to spectacular casting (in terms of appearance), the precision in small details as I remember them from the book and a fairly accurate glaze across a 750 page novel which was a marathon to read let alone narrow to a feature length film. To summarise - it's a long film, granted and the depth is lacking. However it is so in tune with the novel without stepping on its' toes or doing it a disservice which I believe is rare - but that's a different conversation.

Having read the novel by Donna Tartt, I was looking forward to seeing how this would be filmed. I can understand how anyone who had not read the novel first would have trouble following the storyline and the jumps. It was a disappointment to not see a 6'5" Hobie and I think Boris was not portrayed as well as he could have been. I encourage you to read the novel first before watching this movie.

After suffering through all 775 pages of the book, I have absolutely no idea how anyone could watch this film and actually follow what the hell was going on. Casting was awful, script was worse. I was so disappointed by the film adaptation I was not even able to finish watching it. Good Lord what a piece of crap.

I think it is a brilliant film, I loved it. The characters are well-written and I liked the storyline and plot. I like how it describes Theo’s grief / parent loss , and how he sees life and I also like how it explores drug addiction but I like how it wasn’t too harsh. It is a bit of a sad film but it is absolutely amazing and it is one of my favourite/ go-to films. The book is also fantastic and I love how Donna Tartt wrote the book / characters and events. It is an amazing book and I highly recommend it. When I get buried I hope to be buried with the book. 💜❤️

Don’t know what the critics are on about, the movie is surprisingly entertaining, captivating, and you root for all the characters.. I haven’t read the book, so the twists and turns of the plot is exciting and satisfying. I love it. Never mind the critics, watch the movie.

I loved it. Showed the highs and lows of grief and trying to blend back into life. Showed the people that should love you don't always, but strangers sometimes become your family.

Where do I begin? If you liked the novel, I don't see how you would get anything but bored and frustrated out of this Hollywood factory, cookie cut-out. Bland direction, spiritless script, and notably some of the most dreadful casting choices I've seen in a long time. A shameful attempt to exploit the soulful Pulitzer Prize winning book. Shocked that anyone would actually praise what had to be if not the worst, then the most uninspired movie of 2019. Google says Donna Tartt hated the adaptation so much that she fired her agent and will never sell her book rights to filmmakers again. Exactly.

Far better than I expected. There's a touch of brilliance in this sprawling and immensely moving film, well-cast and well-acted. Screenplay and soundtrack also outstanding.

No wonder Donna Tartt dropped her agent after this thing came out. A classic example of Hollywood rushing into the wake of an acclaimed novel, snatching up the rights and hatcheting it death. First off, this is a damn near 800-page novel we're talking about. You're already going to be pushing the capability of the feature length medium to the proverbial limit here. The deftest hands in the world would've needed to be in charge of this adaptation in order for things to turn out even moderately coherent. Instead, we get a non-linear interpretation of things, ultimately sacrificing the sense of scope that the novel was so unequivocally known for. Couple that with a stilted interpretation of the author's unique voice and some listless performances and you get one of the more disappointing book-to-film attempts I've seen in recent memory.

Simultaneously naïve and pretentious. The only thing that will see you through to the end is just marveling at the amount of money and talent that went to waste here.