Directed by: John Crowley

Rated: R

Runtime: 2:29

Review by: Livi Edmonson

 

Adapted from the 2013 novel of the same name, “The Goldfinch” is a drama about Theodore Decker: a 13-year-old who survived a bombing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York that his mother did not. This tragic event scarred Theo for life, leaving a mark on him that could not be removed. However, within the darkness of his life, one thing remains light: the famous Goldfinch painting he stole.

To begin with, do not judge this film by its horrid score on Rotten Tomatoes — it has some unique, moving moments in it. Not to mention its brilliant cast, led by breakout star, Oakes Fegley as young Theo, and the always handsome and brooding, Ansel Elgort as grown-up Theo. Other stars in the cast include Luke Wilson, Nicole Kidman, Sarah Paulson, Finn Wolfhard, and many, many more. However, despite the spectacular cast, the film was doomed from the start, and here’s why.

The novel, “The Goldfinch” won a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2013, and if that is not enough to convince you this book is great, I do not know what will. At this point, you may be thinking, “it has a great cast and a great story, so what’s the problem?” Well, the fact that Warner Brothers tried to cram an 800-page novel into a 2 hour and 29-minute span of a film is the main issue. The book has too many characters and too much complex content to be limited to a short time, even though this is an extensive time for a film. What resulted of this rushed screenplay were scenes that felt too long and also scenes that felt too rushed. There were maybe one or two scenes that felt completely right — partially because of the performances of the amazing actors. 

Another reason this film was doomed was because of the novel itself. Yes, ladies and gentlemen: I hate to admit it, but this is that not-so-rare case of “the book was better.” The film had the right ingredients for success, especially because of its director, John Crowley, the director of the Academy award-nominated, “Brooklyn” (2015). (Which by the way, if you have not seen this film, watch it right this second.) However, the fact that the book was already long clashed with Crowley’s slow-moving directing style. Not to mention that again, the book was better. 

I never thought I would say this since I am such a fan of book to movie adaptations, but maybe the filmmakers just should have left this piece of art alone. The story is incredible and if you enjoy sad thrillers, I highly recommend this book, because it is indeed, one of the best you will ever read. But, if you are a fan of this book, maybe still try out the movie, but try not to have high expectations.

All in all, “The Goldfinch” has a big heart but not enough time in the film to show it. The drama is tragic and even intense at times, so if high drug use and violence trigger you, I would not recommend seeing it. Although, if you enjoy crying by yourself in the theater, this is the perfect film for you! Just be aware that you might end up depressed the rest of the week. I wanted more than anything for this film to succeed — I did. The novel is gorgeous, and the characters are golden. But at the end of the day, my personal love affair for sad stories and Ansel Elgort (I know, I’m showing my age) are the only things that kept me powering through the nearly three-hour melodrama. I give it a 5 out of 10.