Thanks Peter, coming from someone like you that knows and understands about theater...but my original question...what is it that some people just love about the movie? I'm honestly admitting here that "I just don't get it," and I'm curious to know what it is that I don't get. (I suspect it has something to do with the length of the movie...I hope it's not the music or scenery or actors/actresses.) So far we have, great face acting, tops editing, inherent goodness, characters beautifully drawn, film shot well, scenes taut, French aura and ambience, lush and lovely. According to Amos, "it captured humanness very well, with rich subtleties and beautiful portrayals of weakness and strength." (I think this is the part I totally missed, or felt was just too contrived.)

I wish jayohjo could see it. I too am usually wary of films of books I've read.