"The Road." A difficult movie to watch, but one I would recommend to anyone in this forum.

[BlueIris]

I think everyone here should see this film, particularly if you are one who has ever thought the abandonment or destruction of civilization would be a good thing.

It's a dark film, (though perhaps not as utterly bleak as I was expecting) and it takes some guts to walk into the theater, but it is a worthwhile viewing experience. I also think it is a great illustration of the potential for vestiges of humanity to survive in us even during the worst things that can occur, though I think the filmmakers tried a little too hard to make that point.

I liked it; I learned a lot from it. Hopefully, some of you have or will as well.

[Delphinus]

1. Did you read the book?

I'm wondering if I would get the same impact.

[BlueIris]

2. I'm trying. But I had to take a break after the first thirty pages because it was...

pretty scary. I may go back to it now. I don't know if reading the book would have the same impact as film is a different medium. There are many ways in which a filmmaker's vision of a book's plot can be as powerful as a novelist's.

I still recommend the film.

[Orrex]

3. I'm not giving anything away by saying that page 31 isn't any more cheerful!

And it doesn't get much brighter after that.

I love the book. I was already a big McCarthy fan when it came out, but this one packs quite a punch.

[MorningGlow]

5. Is that the "barbecue" scene?

That bit stuck with me waaaayyyy too long. That, and hiding in the ditch. :scared:

[Orrex]

6. I'd say that that's one of the roughest scenes in the book

But there are some real zingers in there.

I think that some people have been put off by the perceived ugliness of the story, and it's pretty bleak, to be sure! But the writing is very strong, and the relationship between father and son is explored in really interesting ways.

I'm not sure that it's my favorite book by him, but I've found it worth reading four or five times so far, and I routinely go back to review particular scenes!

[MorningGlow]

8. Orrex, IIRC you have a young son

Did you find it difficult because of that? I did. I kept envisioning my child in that situation (and, because he's blonde, when the father washed his hair and it turned out to be blonde--the only color in the bleak landscape--I pretty much lost it) and that's what made it a tough read.

[Orrex]

9. Two young sons, actually, and you're absolutely right.

It's especially wrenching for that reason.

In warmer months, my sons and I go for longish walks together, and we chat about whatever we see, etc. I couldn't help reading the book with that in mind, except that instead of talking about this fire hydrant or that rosebush, we'd be discussing the charred skeletons fused into the road tar or the skulls decorated and hung on fenceposts.

INCREDIBLY BIG SPOILER BELOW: HIGHLIGHT THE WHITE SPACE IF YOU WANT TO READ IT

When the father is about to die, and he tells the boy "I'm sorry" because he can't stay with him, that's what gets me. I mean, certainly I'm willing to die for my children, but in that situation I'd greatly prefer to live for them!

END OF SPOILER SPACE

[MorningGlow]

10. Agreed

It made me ache to think that we are still capable of putting our children in that kind of situation, handing them that kind of ruined world, as well as what you said in the spoiler. It just...hurt.

[MorningGlow]

4. I read it

I don't think I could ever read it again. To me, it's the essential horror novel--not monsters or splatter porn, but essentially a description of what could happen if we let ourselves get carried away with...ourselves. I haven't seen the movie (and don't plan on it), but if it's half as powerful as the book, I'm sure it would have the same effect.

[Orrex]

7. I'm sorry to say that it didn't get to any theaters within 45 miles of me

And I can't justify a longer trip just for a movie.

It's doubly weird that it didn't play around here, because a good bit of it was filmed in Pittsburgh and western PA.

[Silver Gaia]

11. I've read the book. Yes, it's bleak and dark, but very, very good.

I haven't seen the film. With so much else to choose from at the theaters right now, and it being dreary winter right now anyhow, I just couldn't bring myself to go see it. I guess I'll wait til it comes out on DVD. By then, it should be spring (or summer), and at least going outside afterward would cheer me up! :)

[Sienna86]

12. Read the book earlier this winter

I thought the author had used up all the possible bleak adjectives in the first two pages. It is a good book.