I read this book when it first came out and have now now watched the film at least three times.
The book is better in that one can avoid all the awkwardness that makes into this type of film.
The MOST glaring flaw in the film was the insertion of the nonsensical Vice principal. Every time the man was on-screen it was annoying. Whatever comic effect they were going for there was completely lost on me leaving me with nothing but a distraction that I wish I could edit out of the film.
The blackmailing character was also over the top and in general detracted from my enjoyment of the rest of the story. It's a bit like watching a classic like Casablanca but injecting a Jim Carey animation character in. Totally unnecessary. It felt like the film makers couldn't trust the material and felt they needed to add "something" to widen the appeal.
Still, in the grand scheme of things, the rest of the story was well written and heartfelt and could be enjoyed once one got past the annoyances.
The book is better in that one can avoid all the awkwardness that makes into this type of film.
The MOST glaring flaw in the film was the insertion of the nonsensical Vice principal. Every time the man was on-screen it was annoying. Whatever comic effect they were going for there was completely lost on me leaving me with nothing but a distraction that I wish I could edit out of the film.
The blackmailing character was also over the top and in general detracted from my enjoyment of the rest of the story. It's a bit like watching a classic like Casablanca but injecting a Jim Carey animation character in. Totally unnecessary. It felt like the film makers couldn't trust the material and felt they needed to add "something" to widen the appeal.
Still, in the grand scheme of things, the rest of the story was well written and heartfelt and could be enjoyed once one got past the annoyances.