| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Kate Winslet | ... | Sarah Pierce | |
| Jennifer Connelly | ... | Kathy Adamson | |
| Patrick Wilson | ... | Brad Adamson | |
| Jackie Earle Haley | ... | Ronnie J. McGorvey | |
| Noah Emmerich | ... | Larry Hedges | |
| Gregg Edelman | ... | Richard Pierce | |
| Phyllis Somerville | ... | May McGorvey | |
| Raymond J. Barry | ... | Bullhorn Bob | |
| Jane Adams | ... | Sheila | |
| Ty Simpkins | ... | Aaron Adamson | |
| Sadie Goldstein | ... | Lucy Pierce | |
| Helen Carey | ... | Jean | |
| Sarah Buxton | ... | Slutty Kay | |
| Mary B. McCann | ... | Mary Ann | |
| Trini Alvarado | ... | Theresa | |
Echoes of "Madame Bovary" in the American suburbs. Sarah's in a loveless marriage to an advertising executive, long days with her young daughter at the park and the pool, wanting more. Brad is an immature househusband, married to a flinty documentary filmmaker. Ronnie is just out of prison - two years for indecent exposure to a minor - living with his elderly mother, May; Larry is a retired cop, fixated on driving Ronnie away. Sarah and Brad connect, a respite of adult companionship at the pool. Ronnie and Larry have their demons. Brad should be studying for the bar; Larry misses his job; Ronnie's mom thinks he needs a girlfriend. Sarah longs to refuse to be trapped in an unhappy life. Where can these tangled paths lead? Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>
A great adaptation of Perrota's gem of a novel. I enjoyed the book so much that I actually dreaded seeing this film because I was sure that I would be disappointed (as is almost always the case when you read the book first). But I was relieved to find that the film was excellent probably because Perrita was wrote part of the screenplay. I know many hate being "hit over the head" with narration, but I think it adds some strong fabric to the story line. I loved the new ending (so much different than the book) too.
The only big problem I had was the casting of Winslett. She was great of course, but she doesn't pull off the "plain-Jane" that Sara is supposed to be. In fact she is up to par or even prettier than Connelly.