It's funny that you say that because, in my memory of the book, which I really liked, while the opening was longish (some might say boring), most of it was on the boat. There are explanations of his name and life, but not to the extent that's in the movie, and I don't remember getting a good idea of his family. Plus, he's younger, so the girl is a complete invention of the film.

But it has been some time since I read it.

I think the major flaw with the movie, besides the awkwardness of the bookends, is that the opening should have been cut way down.

Thanks for the heads up re: Sleepless Night. I love the idea of a film that is part Luxembourgeois!

heh. I liked the opening! I thought the boat part is the part that got boring. How funny.

Let me know if you see SN.

I have now officially seen more people sneering how Catwoman Only Won Her Award Because It Was One Take With No Cuts than I've seen people claiming Catwoman Should Get The Award Because It Was One Take With No Cuts.

You should have heard my son complaining How She Should Have Gotten The Oscar For Playing Catwoman Because Batman Is Awesome And Who Wants To Watch A Movie About Being Miserable Anyway.

She should have gotten an Oscar for Rachel Getting Married, but I'd have accepted a Dark Knight Rises Oscar. Actually, I'm perfectly happy with the Les Miserables Oscar even though I haven't seen it yet.

I'm an unabashed Anne Hathaway fan, though, so I can possibly be safely ignored.

I don't have feelings for Anne Hathaway either way, but I agree with someone on a film podcast I listen to who said (roughly) that she created the emotional movie moment of the year and that's really the only rationalization you need.

I am a bit baffled by the Anne Hathaway bashing I've seen since most of it has been bashing *her* (for not being "genuine enough" or some other bullshit) not the performance. Just tacky.

Yeah, I really don't get the Anne Hathaway hate. Some people don't like that she acts surprised even though she keeps winning?

I can take Anne Hathaway a whole lot more than Taylor Swift. If I hadn't seen Anne interviewed and giving shit to the interviewers on occasion, I might not like her as much as I do. I kind of wish that spunk were more apparent when she gives speeches after winning awards. She seems to take herself a bit seriously.

But oh well. All actors kind of do and I think they are nervous when they accept awards. She was better at Oscars than Golden Globes.

Some people don't like that she acts surprised even though she keeps winning?

Kind of a no-win situation as she'd be surely ripped apart if she acted like she expected to win.

I think Gwyneth gets the same guff.