The Sweet Hereafter

[Lorelei]

Very good adaptation of a very well written book by Russell Banks. Different than the book, but captured the spirit of the book very well. The story concerns a tragic school bus accident in a small town and what happens to the people after. The assignment of blame is a big theme in both the book and movie.

[Usivius]

Ohhhhh... haunting movie. I have not read the book, but what a great movie.
Utterly moving from beginning to end --- yet, for me, it was not depressing (it should be, shouldn't it?.... )

[Lorelei]

The book left me with the same thought....so I was prepared for the movie. Should we be depressed or glad that a small town handles it's grief in it's own way?

Spoiler

I felt glad when the lawsuit was dismissed.

[Usivius]

oh, me too. Sad but absolutely satisfying ending.
And what great performances all 'round. Special kudos to Ian Holm, Maury Cjaykin (one of my favourites), Bruce Greenwood and Sara Polley.
Great, understated actors all.

And when

Spoiler

you finally see the scene when the bus craches and sinks in to the ice... wow... It was very well done. The look on Greenwood's face says it all. But those distant screems from the bus still haunt me...