I first read the novel when i was in my early teens, and I've loved everything about the whole series ever since. The 1987 film always disappointed me, in casting and execution. I was pleased to see that the cast was much more how I imagined the characters as I read. However, the movie was awfully executed. The characters at times felt so scripted (when Chris confronted Cathy after kissing Bart, I cringed), and the whole thing felt rushed. At the point in the movie where I thought it had been a few weeks in the attic, Cathy hit us with two years. Small details were left out too. The swan bed was nothing as described, the doll house had 4 rooms even though it was supposed to be based on the grandmothers childhood mansion, the tar in Cathy's hair was supposed to come out, but leaving the hair weak, which I always thought was symbolic. The starvation period always felt like a huge crux of the book to me, but it was all but completely left out. Cathy's tantrums were overlooked, and she did ballet once. Was Chris even a doctor-to-be in the movie? I feel like an accurate and good quality film that stuck to the books would have to be two or three movies long. The book was divided into two parts, the movie should do the same, rather than skipping half of the plot and leaving major themes unexplored.

Did they actually read the book before filming? I have to write ten lines of text before I can submit this review. I may struggle. Too many errors. Little to no tension. Transparent and vacuous acting. Ridiculous jumps from one section to another in order to fit things in. What was that ending? I watched to the end hoping for a glimmer of light. They're making the next instalment I hear (fear).... The only thing correct; character names. I've only managed six lines at this point so I'll just have to ramble, even more than I already have. A terrible film dear review reader. Go make a cup of hot milk instead. Infinitely more exciting and much more tension involved....as you watch that pot.....

I love the series and decided to watch the live action to see all the things I had imagined and envisioned in my head, come to life. I tried my best to give it a chance even though the acting was poor and the actors were not at all what I had imagined. but I had to draw the line with the scene where Chris cuts Cathy's hair. Chris comes off as your average horny teen boy which makes it very difficult to appreciate what happens later. and the way he cuts off her hair was so rough and nonchalant. Chris in the book never would have cut her hair like that. such a shame. the movie created no depth for the plot nor characters making this seem like just a sick, deranged, (barely) thriller. If only the directors, producers, actors, everyone could have taken a little time to read and appreciate the book, the movie would have been much better. but nonetheless, I love the book so 5 stars goes automatically.

a decent adaptation. interesting performance of the lead actors. an OK Gothic atmosphere. but something missing. not very clear, few characters as sketches or stamps, an old recipes with new ingredients, Ellen Burstyn as pillar of story in precise role who explores many from her character sides, the film is almost an introduction to series. and it is not a bad fact. but the impression to discover a sketch, the feeling the story has not real roots, the incest theme presented in superficial manner, all does a fragile construction. sure, it is a good film. decent adaptation, remarkable young actors. but it could be better. that represents a certitude.