Changing an Ending

Recently, I came across this article about My Sister's Keeper, my all time favorite novel by Jodi Picoult and now a movie being released in theatres on June 26th. The article in USA Today reports that the ending of the movie will not be the same as the book.

But here's another shock: The movie version, due June 26, has a
different ending. And that's making some Picoult fans unhappy.
The movie, starring Cameron Diaz and Abigail Breslin, tells the story of what happens when a healthy child (Breslin) turns 13 and begins to question the medical procedures she has endured in an effort to stem her older sister's (Sofia Vassilieva) leukemia. Picoult hasn't seen the movie but has read the script: "Having the ending changed would certainly not have been my choice. I wrote the ending very intentionally because I wanted to leave the reader with a certain message. And changing that ending changes that message. However, I am excited to see the movie and to judge it on its strengths."

I think it was a terrible idea to change the ending, but it isn't deterring me from seeing the movie. What do you think? Should they be allowed to change the ending? Are you planning on seeing the movie now that it isn't completely faithful to the book?

Here is the link for the original article: http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2009-03-02-picoult-my-sisters-keeper_n.htm?loc=interstitialskip

Australia: 2 hours and 45 minutes of goodness

Before I begin, let me reiterate -- Australia is 2 hours and 45 minutes. This is not a movie for the time management challenged. If you enjoyed Baz Luhrmann's other films, then it is truly worth the time. The beginning starts off a little quirky (it reminded me of Strictly Ballroom -- what a great movie) with Nicole Kidman's Lady Ashley, an uptight proper English lady, travelling to Australia to demand that her husband sell their cattle ranch and come home to England with her. He sends The Drover (Hugh Jackman) as her guide to bring her to their ranch, Faraway Downs. Misunderstanding and a few silly scenes later, they dislike each other properly, but you know that won't last for long.

The movie really picks up when Lady Ashley and the Drover arrive to find Lord Ashley murdered. Lady Ashley vows to drive the cattle in honor of her late husband and in turn protect all the people living on the ranch from a rival cattle tycoon and his villainous henchman. She begs the Drover to help her and over the course of the drive, they fall in love.

I am going to stop there, so that I don't spoil the rest of the plot. Australia is great fun, an epic story with heart and many funny moments. Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman are fantastic, their story and struggles are the movie's strengths. I was surprised by the scope of the film, the massive crane shots, explosions, and the special effects were immense. So if you have 3 hours to spare, I recommend you see Australia. Don't forget to come back here and let me know your thoughts in the comments section!