Big Little Lies HBO

[Anonymous]

I grabbed the book while at Costco last week after a friend recommended it. Should I read the book and then watch the HBO series? She's not impressed with the show but loved the book.

I feel like this might be another The Girl on the Train situation where I love the book and then seethe through the movie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great write up in The New Yorker:

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/03/06/the-surprising-generosity-of-big-little-lies

I agree that Kidman has the standout performance here. It's not ice queen or frozen face. It's award-worthy acting.
In general, I think Kidman takes so many unpopular roles, most with small production companies and throw in flops, that her actual acting abilities are underrated.

Completely agree. I think the performances are excellent across-the-board.

[Anonymous]

I'd hold off reading the book at this point until the series is over. I mentioned above that I'm glad I read the book some time ago so I can enjoy the HBO version without the constant comparisons to the book. There's a good bit of differences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd hold off reading the book at this point until the series is over. I mentioned above that I'm glad I read the book some time ago so I can enjoy the HBO version without the constant comparisons to the book. There's a good bit of differences.

You always have to go with book first. Always.

Your mind will create the visual images for you.

When you read the book first you are just seeing the actors/actresses and visuals presented to you in film.

I've never once found a movie or show to be better than a book.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd hold off reading the book at this point until the series is over. I mentioned above that I'm glad I read the book some time ago so I can enjoy the HBO version without the constant comparisons to the book. There's a good bit of differences.

You always have to go with book first. Always.

Your mind will create the visual images for you.

When you read the book first you are just seeing the actors/actresses and visuals presented to you in film.

I've never once found a movie or show to be better than a book.

^^that was if you don't read the book first--when you do read the book you are seeing the actor/actresses in your mind.

[Anonymous]

Whatever, I still wouldn't read the book during the screen adaptation. Try to enjoy both versions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great write up in The New Yorker:

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/03/06/the-surprising-generosity-of-big-little-lies

I agree that Kidman has the standout performance here. It's not ice queen or frozen face. It's award-worthy acting.
In general, I think Kidman takes so many unpopular roles, most with small production companies and throw in flops, that her actual acting abilities are underrated.

I also agree. I've never thought of her as having a frozen face. She always hits exactly the right notes with her expressions, IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've never read the book but I really like the series so far. I admit that I couldn't stand the suspense and went on Wiki to see who was killed.

No! Blasphemy. I haven't read the book either, but I'm waiting to see who is murdered. Right now, I've got a few guesses, but I'm not sure. I'm also wondering if there might be more to little Ziggy than we're aware of. He's so adorable and sweet, but then Jane noticed Harold the Hippo was missing a leg. Could Ziggy actually be a little monster? I hope not. He's a doll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grabbed the book while at Costco last week after a friend recommended it. Should I read the book and then watch the HBO series? She's not impressed with the show but loved the book.

I feel like this might be another The Girl on the Train situation where I love the book and then seethe through the movie.

This is why I refuse to read the book until the show is over. I just want to enjoy it for what it is, without constant comparisons to the book.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd hold off reading the book at this point until the series is over. I mentioned above that I'm glad I read the book some time ago so I can enjoy the HBO version without the constant comparisons to the book. There's a good bit of differences.

You always have to go with book first. Always.

Your mind will create the visual images for you.

When you read the book first you are just seeing the actors/actresses and visuals presented to you in film.

I've never once found a movie or show to be better than a book.

Are you the PP who keeps pushing the book on us? Give it a rest, will you? Those of us who haven't yet read it are enjoying the TV version for what it is, which is a whole lot more enjoyable than constantly comparing every scene to the book and being outraged that the story is diverging from the original.

It's ok to appreciate a TV show or movie for what it is and not worry about reading the book first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Madeline seems like a caricature rather than a character. It's like a chick-lit type (Hello! Fashionable woman here with a Strooooooooong personality) is plopped down in the middle of an HBO show.

Yeah but it's exactly how she's written in the book - Reese has nailed her character.

I used to be a huge Nicole Kidman fan - she's a brilliant actress and has several Oscar-worthy performances under her belt (plus I think she actually won one, right?). But her face no longer moves, and that really limits her as an actress. Though in a way it works for her character here, who is totally shut down with a flat affect and trying to maintain the perfect exterior - like a mask. But still...there's only so far she can go when she literally cannot move her face.

Okay, good to know I'm not missing some shades or subtlety here.

I thought Madeline came across as somewhat less obnoxious in the book.

[Anonymous]

can someone maybe who's read the book talk about celeste's psychology vis-a-vis her husband. so interesting to me

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:can someone maybe who's read the book talk about celeste's psychology vis-a-vis her husband. so interesting to me

I think the New Yorker article cited above was interesting.

[Anonymous]

Early reviews say episode 3 will showcase Kidman's talent. Laura Dern gets kudos as well.

[Anonymous]

Anyone else read the book when it was released and now can't remember it as you watch the show? :-0

I read it when it first came out, just a random selection off the shelf I think. LOVED it. Devoured it perhaps a little too quickly because I can't remember the story and characters much at all!