I HATED the book. Way too many lucky coincidences (Ruby, the goat woman) and improbabilities, and I thought the ending was unpardonably melodramatic and self-righteous.

I agree; I'd rather have seen Cate Blanchett, or somebody whose demeanor is less pert than Nicole Kidman's, as Ada. I'm not saying she isn't a fine actress, I'm only saying that I cannot reconcile what I've seen of her with my impression of the character in the book.

Unfortunately, the first film I ever saw of Jude Law's was _Wilde_ and I've never been able to get over my first impression of him as a prissy, petulant, b*tch. I can't see him looking haggard enough for a post-Civil War movie.