Pajiba

Mrs. Newman is a big fan of the author and in particular of this book so she'll be excited. For the most part I don't like "sickness" movies so I'll be doing my best to avoid being dragged to see this.

I read this book last week and it was a sucker punch to the gut. I will definitely be seeing this film-my only doubt is Cameron Diaz as the Mum? She is so not good enough for that role, hopefully the rest of the cast can carry her.

My one bone to pick with Jodi Piccoult is that the books that she writes (and writes somewhat fluidly and sometimes even, dare I say it, GOOD...) all have a sort of Hollywoodized twisty ending, which I sort of find annoying. Like, she writes these really good stories, gets close to the end, panics, has no idea that a well-written novel needn't be flashy to the point of Cheeze, and throws the old M. Night Shamalamamabam surprise ending in there, perhaps for shits and giggles or more likely because she just has no idea how to finish the story without The Ending That No One Saw Coming...

Well, it does make for good tear-jerking, manipulative endings....

goddamnit why don't i learn to listen to you rowles? sniffle.

I didnt cry

But 'do I look pretty daddy?'
and a teary eyed 'yes' may have caused my eyes to redden due to DUST DAMN IT!!DUST!!!

Aww, sorry Dustin, but the geek in me can't resist: "genetically conceive a child"...dude, is there some way to conceive a child that doesn't involve genes that I don't know of?

Okay, now that that childishness is out of my system, this does sound like an absolute heartbreaker.

I'm so sorry about your losses Drake.

Drake: *Really, really, really long hug until you feel better*

And there is no way I'm watching this trailer. It's way too early for Abigail Breslin to turn me into a weepy little puddle of emotion.

Hmm, after watching the trailer it all feels a bit sterile and monotone. Didn't push my buttons. Even Breslin seemed a bit wooden. I am obviously dead inside.

And I'm sorry but Alec Baldwin is not Campbell. But then I kinda hate Alec Baldwin, so perhaps I am biased.

Man, now I feel like calling my sisters...

@janey, I'm with you on the twisty ending. It's like she raises all these meaty ethical questions, and then chickens out and fails to follow through on them.

And I can't see Cameron Diaz as the mother, either. In the book, she was tenacious and single-minded, wanting to do everything possible for her ill child, to the point of neglecting her other children. She's a lawyer, and even goes up against Anna's lawyer in court. I just don't think Cameron Diaz has the gravitas to pull that off.

oh no, you aren't getting me to watch that trailer, no way no how.
i don't/can't watch cancer movies.

unless you consider the alien franchise cancer movies.
in which case, bring it.

Looks like they are butchering it a bit to appeal to the masses (less brother storyline, a waaaay too old Campbell, Cameron Diaz is not believable looking as the mother, etc. But it'll probably make everyone cry in theatres so it'll make a shitload of money.

Big hug for DRAKE.

I've read like, half a dozen of Jodi Picoult's books, and she crafts great plots and characters. Even better, she does an enormous amount of research for each book -- genetics, law, courtroom procedure, the history of eugenics, etc.

So....the fact that the people who put this movie together obviously didn't give the same time and effort into reading their source matieral is just... awful. Diaz is only like 36 -- in the book the eldest son is 18. She is a lawyer and had a kid at 18? I don't think Diaz can play that much older. And wait -- is the son even in the movie? Plus they got rid of the whole subplot between Campbell and the social worker (can't remember her name). I loved this book, but I'm definitely not going to see this. I hate when Hollywood ruins a perfectly enjoyable book and then people won't bother to read, just depend on the shitty interpretation.

I read that book a couple of years ago, along with the majority of the Jodi Picoult books, one after another. She's the kind of author that is a good writer, but you only really NEED to read one or two of her books. After a while, they seem very samey and predictable. Controversial topic explored, placed into a contemporary setting with a family who it affects. Nineteen Minutes was particularly good, and this one was alright until the typical Picoult ending that never fails to disappoint the reader.
That being said, I may just decide to go and see this one. The Snow Patrol got me, and Abigail Breslin is just so damn cute that she makes any movie worth seeing. Then again, the guy did direct one of my favorite comedies "The Notebook" which failed as a drama, but worked as a rip roaring funny film. So there is that to take into consideration.

somebody else mentioned the trick ending and how terrible it was? terrible. TRICK ENDINGS DO NOT REALLY HAPPEN. so i'd be disinclined to go see this even though the trailer was appealingly schmaltzy.

Janey, I have the exact same problem with Picoult. The other is that all of her books that I've read follow the exact same formula of multiple viewpoints and a hidden secret, and yes, she develops characters well, but they're the same damn characters in each novel. It's almost like she had half of one good story in her.

Anyway, can't decide if I'm seeing this or not. It doesn't look as bad as I thought it would, though.

Ariel - I'm with you on the age thing.

dsbs, I completely agree. Her stories are always about families that are torn on an issue... the mother who is acting like a bitch for the sake of her children, the saintly father who is always the big softie who starts to drift from his wife because she's such a raging bitch, and a court case that plays out 2/3 into the book. Also, someone always dies.

The end.