The memoir
If anyone has seen but the movie, but not read the book, you really should read the book sometime! I loved the book.
Anyone read it? How do you think it compares to the movie?
I liked the book quite a bit. The movie was sweet, but ultimately not that good a movie. Of course it couldn't get into the details of each of the kids or all the other contests Evelyn entered. The movie also overdid the character of Kelly...he didn't strike me as *that* much of a jerk in the book. A jerk, yes, but not that bad. And of course, the book is told from the perspective of her daughter, which puts a whole different spin on it.
so yes...if you did like the movie, you really should read it. It's charming.
I agree, fnord, Kelly was not portrayed as such a jerk in the book - though I found the movie character to be completely believable. I thought Woody's performance was terrific. And Julianne Moore won my heart as Evelyn.
Kelly Ryan was obviously a deeply troubled man who couldn't or wouldn't control his abusive behavior towards his own family. Evelyn's ability to simply put up with him was astonishing to behold. I LOVED this story soooo much. I read half of the book before I had to return it to the library(I have every intention of finishing it); and I've now seen the movie multiple times. I watched it again just last night and this time I cried through the whole movie, practically.