This was a great movie, but it was a little different than the book. Spoilers: Nan was friends with Benny and Eve since childhood in the movie. In the book, they met at college. I liked O'Donald's character better in the movie than in the book. In the book, he acted like a jerk to Benny when she was too busy taking care of her widowed mother. In the movie, though he did feel a little lonely and got a little impatient,he (up until he cheated on her) was a little more understanding. In the book, I thought they implied that Benny got together with her, but I think she left it up to the author to decide. Other users says they did not get back together. In the movie, they definitely did get back together. I liked the part where Benny hit the bag over that creep's head and the money spilled out! Nan and Eve were great for their part. Although I do not consider O'Donald gorgeous, he is talented. I read some users comments. I also noticed the flaw they made when they said they were making their confirmation, (as other users stated) which was really the communion. However, that was not important to me. A lot of users were critical about the movie being so centered around sex. I agree with them, that it did get too much after a while, but those are real problems that teens and young adults faced then, and now. But back then they did not have sex education. (just guilt, from the catholic church)Perhaps if people talked to them about the real consequences of having sex (rather that preaching about it being a mortal sin)they would not have so much of a desire to have it. I think if this were a real story, Benny would have made a big mistake by having sex(obviously unprotected) and it would be a shame for a talented smart writer like Benny to ruin her chance of having a career; however, the movie ended there. I do not think it was made to teach you that you should have premarital sex, (though realistically it happened, even then, though it was just not talked of) It was made to entertain. It was a romantic love story, not a life lesson. A lot of people were disappointed by the fact that Benny gave Jack and second chance, but at least in the movie, he was not a jerk like he was in the book, as I said. Somebody said that the parents looked old for parents back then, but it was not unusual for women to take years to get pregnet, or to have many miscarriages (sadly). Back then they did not have the prenatal care that they have now, or ways of getting pregnet. The fact that she had only one child was also unusual for that time, which also implies that the mother probably took a long time to conceive. So I thought using older parents was appropriate, and backed up justly. Overall, a great movie!

I absolutely adored this film, and it is the ultimately girly flick which every girl should watch with a big group of her friends! The characters are all so likable, and the settings are wonderful. It is an utterly charming film which you can't help falling in love with. Remarkable performances from Minnie Driver and Chris O'Donnell, and I thought Alan Cumming was great in this role, because he plays nasty so well. Overall, a very beautiful film with a very genuine, lovely story at the centre. It's great! Also, the pure irishness of it just makes you want to get on the next plane to Ireland and experience its beauty and charm first hand. The whole film is simply beautiful and the cinematography is wonderful. This is a top class piece of directing and producing, and brings to life Maeve Binchy's novel perfectly.

To answer the question about where both Chris O'Donnel and Minnie Driver are. Both have been working over the past few years putting out movies. They may not have been blockbuster films and why you may not have heard anything. Also, both are in production on movies this year in 2005.Next time just look them up on this site and you would have your answer.I have to say, I loved this film. It introduced me to Ms. Driver and I have been following her career ever since. I think she is under-rated as an actress.

Spoilers herein.Pretty tepid and predictable, just like the society the story disparages.And pretty ordinary in the way it exploits the themepark charm of Ireland. That's a recurring problem with Pat O'Connor who seems doomed to his Darby O'Gill world. But it has three strong performers, and in this case those alone are worth watching. Incidentally those three are to be reunited for the big budget "Phantom of the Opera."Of these three, Minni Driver impresses. She has that young abandon and commitment to the role that is almost virginal in its approach. Like Emily Watson in "Waves" or Kate Winslet in "Creatures" or Cate Blanchett in "Lucinda." It has something to do with fearlessness and is most effective when the character is supposed to have that same sense of tentative inhabitation of strange person.Often, that ability to risk wears off, and it appears to have with Minnie. But still...Another of these three has made a career of sleazy characters. I find Cumming's energy pretty fascinating, especially the areas of the character where he places that energy. These characters are always sprung, dramatic. How sweet to know that Cumming really did walk away with Saffron when this was over.Ted's Evaluation -- 3 of 4: Worth watching.