Excellent film except a little too obvious on the closet Lesbian element (it's only hinted in the book) and the ending is pure Hollywood ("give 'em a simple explanation").

One of the best novels I've read this century - well done Zoe Heller and Judi Dench is magnificent as expected (her character is one of the great subtle literary creations). Great music from Philip Glass.

It's very 21st Century - just as my story so far this century has been too.

I must go and see The Queen because, unless Mirren is superb, Dench should win the Oscar.

Dame Helen is superb in The Queen, JK, and her Oscar and BAFTA look pretty nailed on.
Good parts for mature actresses were once thin on the ground partly because we didn't have any 'mature' stars. Maggie Smith broke the mould;Gosford Park assembled the best English cast possible and filmmakers realised proper stories with no bangs and heavy sex and violence could win hearts and make money.