Having seen the play this film was based upon twice, I was surprised at how deeply affected I was by the movie. The actors, the writing, the direction, and the technical aspects are all top-notch.
There are several changes from the play, including some scenes and characters, but the overall writing and tone are very similar. One scene in particular which was changed was the train encounter between the drunk boxer and the young war widow. This scene's resolution was tragic and compassionate in a twisted way. It made me break down crying.
The movie is bleak, it's vicious, it's harsh, but it's so powerful and engrossing that you can't stop watching it -- like someone passing a wreck who can't keep their eyes off the man-made catastrophe. Only in this case, the spectacle is passing before the viewer, who remains stationary, transfixed, emotionally caught and bound.
There are several changes from the play, including some scenes and characters, but the overall writing and tone are very similar. One scene in particular which was changed was the train encounter between the drunk boxer and the young war widow. This scene's resolution was tragic and compassionate in a twisted way. It made me break down crying.
The movie is bleak, it's vicious, it's harsh, but it's so powerful and engrossing that you can't stop watching it -- like someone passing a wreck who can't keep their eyes off the man-made catastrophe. Only in this case, the spectacle is passing before the viewer, who remains stationary, transfixed, emotionally caught and bound.