Without Having Read the Novel....

Without Having Read the Novel, I can say (IMO) that this film was pretty damn good. It's not for all tastes. Obviously action lovers need to stay away. This is a character film and the shifts in moods and behaviors are not always obvious (and are most likely clearer in the book). The director, Terence Davies, does not spell everything out for us but what he does give us is enough (compare this with how Scorcese handled Wharton's "The Age of Innocence". I liked Scorcese's film but Joanne Woodward's narration felt like it was done because the audience was dumb). I'm pretty certain that the film is different from the book (I understand some characters and omitted and others are combined) but I think that in the end, the overall effect is the same.

As for Anderson as Lily Bart, it's a shame she did not get more recognition for her performance. I think it is because at the time of its release, "The X-Files" were still on TV and "serious" minded folks could not see past that. Now nearly 10 years later, one can watch her performance and marvel at it.

Too bad acting awards can't be awarded retroactively....