This was one of those rare occasions when I happened to watch the movie BEFORE reading the book. I watched the movie - nominated for 3 oscars, starring Kate Winslet (lead actress), Jennifer Connolly, Patrick Wilson, Jackie Earle Haley (supporting actor) - a couple of years ago and was surpised at how the sensitive subject matter was handled with subtle humor and a healthy dose of sarcasm.Less than perfect marriages, the joys, pains and daily sacrifices of bringing up a child, the notion that fresh starts can reverse the drudgeries of past years.. are all explored in this very engaging novel. Sarah used to be a firebrand feminist in her college days, she's now in a dull marriage, taking care of a demanding 3 year old with whom she doesn't quite share the traditional mother-daughter bond. Todd used to be a successful, popular football player in college, who just can't manage to find the same success in his career. He is now a stay-at-home dad, feeling the pressure to pass the bar exam so he and his wife can move on to the next stage in their lives. When Todd and Sarah meet at a local playground, they embark on an unlikely and unpredictable affair.. Add to this, the fact that Ronnie, a sexual deviant moves to the neighborhood - adding more drama, and surprisingly, more comedy to the story.
The author, along with the director (Todd Field) adapted the novel for the screenplay - and as I read the book I was not suprised at how similar the book was to the movie (or perhaps the other way around).. except for the way the movie handled Ronnie (played by Haley), which was VERY different from the book.. and it was this ending that gave the movie its edge. On the other hand, Perotta handled Ronnie's character with more irony than disquietude in the book..
It also has to be said that the author's style constantly switches between the casual and the profound.. making the book highy readable, charming and full of wisdom.
