How I Live Now

[funthing29]

Having not read the book, I am judging the film on its own merit.

It feels like a film of two halves: an angst ridden teen romance (where the relationship is not that believable) and a war survival story. It doesn't shy away from the horrors or violence in the second half but it also feels a bit simplistic, with very little explanation about what the war is about and who is involved. I am not sure what the point of hearing Daisy's thoughts all at once were - probably a reference from the book but not very effective on screen.

I think the two contrasting plot threads of soppy romance and war drama do not successfully mesh at the end so the final result is a little underwhelming.

6.5/10.

[Yinster]

On the plus side, I think I spotted Yinster at the Glasgow showing of this film and so, I might yet get to meet some other FMUKers at some point soon!

Aw you should have said hi if you think you spotted me cos I was sitting beside my OH. Moggers was beside me and Karenlg123 was beside my OH. Then Ploggit was next to Karen. Also there was ScooterMcc in the cinema.

Anyhoo that was a strange viewing experience. And it felt so long to me. Agree that it seemed like two different halves which just doesn't go well together. The wee girl Piper just annoyed the hell of out of me. And Eddie doesn't say much does he? And surely there are plenty of American female teenagers who could have played the lead instead of casting an Irish one? I think Saoirse Ronan is pretty talented but I couldn't connect her as a troubled American teenager.

4/10

[Ms Thrifty]

I'm another person who has not read the book and isn't in the target audience; a further echo of earlier comments is that reading the book would have helped in some respects but would also have caused me to compare the two versions of the story, possibly unfavourably - and I'm not going to read the book now, either!

It was pretty much as I expected and I'd give it 7/10. The wartime setting reminded me of other films I'd seen in the last couple of years, particularly that dire Welsh test screening. I did think lots of aspects were implausible but clearly, from comments here, the makers had chosen to focus on certain elements and to change or omit others. Not sure if it would appeal to the teen market it is presumably actually aimed at.

Was I the only FMUK member at Wandsworth, btw? Couldn't spot anyone else and no-one here has mentioned that location. Like me, most of the audience seemed well above the target range, too.

[John Milton]

Aw you should have said hi if you think you spotted me cos I was sitting beside my OH. Moggers was beside me and Karenlg123 was beside my OH. Then Ploggit was next to Karen. Also there was ScooterMcc in the cinema.

That was quite the FMUK team that was present then! I didn't actually see where you were sitting but I believe I may have held the door open for you, where you then insisted I went through first! I was the speccy bearded guy in the jeans and the "Last Son of Krypton" t-shirt. Quite the geek cliche!

[ploggit]

The back row, john milton, always the back row!

[moggers]

The back row, john milton, always the back row!

pretty much :)

[prettyxcool]

The back row, john milton, always the back row!

pretty much :)

FMUKers always fav the back row!

I think Saoirse Ronan is pretty talented but I couldn't connect her as a troubled American teenager.

Yinster, I could not have put it better! Actually, I could not connect with any of the characters in the film, the book was far, far better.

[rawsalsa]

Liked this very much. Had a lump in my throat at the end.
George Mackay is a bit of a dish (yes I know I'm too old for him).

8.5/10

I chuckled at this post since I thought exactly the same thing - & then quickly felt how wrong it was - given that his character is much younger than my son!
I saw this a WIQ & it was lovely to catch up with both prettyxcool (thanks for the +1), Beate and cinefilia1.
I had no expectations, having not read the book nor seen any trailers before. I enjoyed the pace & the mood of this film & I definitely felt for the characters at the end. 8/10

[ilovethatfilm]

Shocked by how good this was! Really bleak, dark and grown up. I thought this was for young adults!!! The romance is a little soppy but Ronan is excellent and Kevin MacDonald directs with style!

[stuartboy]

I'm afriad this film was for me like it's title. However many times I've read it it is instantly forgotten. So many times I planned to collect my ticket for last night's screening only to change my mind because I had forgetten what it was called! Still can't remember. How.....something!

I loved the idea. I loved it being British. It defintely had promise. It just seemed to lack any substance. It felt more like the begining episode of a TV drama. So much was unexplained. Who was Mum? Who were the terrorists? What was there cause? There seemed to be so much that was missed out that could have made this so much longer. It almost felt as if it ran out of budget and had to be finished any old how.
Sadly disappointed.

What was it called again?

Why I....?

Only 6/10. Had potential. Wanted more.