How I Live Now
Synopsis via Letterboxd:
LOVE WILL LEAD YOU HOME
An American girl, sent to the English countryside to stay with relatives, finds love and purpose while fighting for her survival as war envelops the world around her.
There is a spoiler warning and a gap before the last paragraph. Since the ability to tag only part of the review isn't available for some reason, I am just giving warning.
First I would just like to say that infinite bonus points for perfect use of both Nick Drake and Denny-Era Fairport Convention in the same flick. As American Fascism is beginning to destroy the foundations of our democracy, I hope that when the end comes, Sandy Denny is there to serenade me on the way out.
As far as adaptations go this is one of those rare, nearly perfect ones.
Rosoff's novel is an absolute classic of literature and could have very easily been completely and totally butchered. Thankfully, everything from the casting to the cinematography were inspired.
The changes that were made, for the most part, are understandable as different mediums have different audiences with different narrative expectations. I feel like most of these changes were either necessary or, at least, well thought out.
While the tone of the book is much darker (because of it's medium) and more graphic in its violence, I think that toning those down, especially the violence doesn't necessarily hurt the film.
However... and spoilers for both book and movie below:
I think that killing Isaac 3/4 of the way was a mistake, it really does deny his character the arch that the book allowed him to have. I think at some point during the writing process it was decided that placing that hard heartbreak there, would allow for a less bittersweet and--and I use this term loosely-- happier ending. I don't necessarily think the trade off was worth it. Had the movie still ignored the time jump but kept Isaac and the bittersweet ending in tact, neither the run time nor the audience would have been negatively impacted.
But that’s just me. The entire last section of the novel is a masterclass in how to earn the title of your book.
It's a great movie and an excellent adaptation. I would definitely recommend giving the book a read.
