I thought it was horrible. the lovely wife thought it was just ok
I didn’t even know it was made into a movie. From this brief description, it sounds absolutely awful
Isn’t there a scene in the book where Vance goes off on welfare moms using cell phones while he’s struggling to make ends meet on his own? Well, that dog ain’t gonna hunt for Mr. Opie!
My wife loved the book. I had not read it. We watched the movie together. I thought it was a bunch of nothing. She wasn’t impressed either.
This is like adapting a spy thriller and changing the Muslim terrorist bad guys to neo-nazis.
The Author has done amazingly well for himself. Not sure how his story is going to help anyone, really. I found the book tedious and hopeless.
“J.D. Vance grew up in the Rust Belt city of Middletown, Ohio, and the Appalachian town of Jackson, Kentucky. He enlisted in the Marine Corps after high school and served in Iraq. A graduate of the Ohio State University and Yale Law School, he has contributed to the National Review and the New York Times, and works as an investor at a leading venture capital firm. Vance lives in Columbus, Ohio, with his family.”
Sample reviews, which jibe with my thoughts about the book:
“Within every socioeconomic group you will find what Mr Vance has attributed to the hillbilly way of life. I find his book offensive to us that grew up in the south in poor areas. This book is why most people believe we are always barefoot and pregnant. This book was a waste of a day I can’t get back.”
“This is not an age of political correctness: it’s an age of sentimental correctness; and, Vance assures us with Hallmark card certainty that his sentiments are correct. He adores his sister and Mamaw and Papaw. He’s a devout family man with the best of intentions. He goes to church and believes in Jesus. He’s a conservative who doubts the ability of government to make effective change. Fine and dandy. But I wouldn’t want to sit next to this guy on an airplane. I think the conversation would always get steered to himself. He finished Ohio State in two years, with honors. And then went to Yale and became editor of the “prestigious” Yale Law Review. And to ice the cake, he served as a Marine in Iraq. I mean, this dude’s a physical and mental mensch. Man is the measure of all things, said Protagoras. And Vance is the measure of all men.
I think Mr. Vance might be posturing himself for a shot at political office.
Anyway, read it if you like. But this ain’t no Steinbeck.”
“If I were to sum up what I learned, it would be that unless you have a “social network” of people working in front of or behind the scenes on your behalf, you’re screwed. This book doesn’t offer any hope, but only points out why opportunities like his will never happen for many Americans. I think a lot of people will be put off by his arrogance. I wanted to stop reading at chapter 3 but was encouraged by a friend to give it a chance. It only got worse. I’m sorry I wasted my time and money.”
Good to know. I won’t bother.
I’m an Appalachian-American and I have the book. The author gets in trouble for not blaming Capitalism for all of the woes in the hills
Didn’t read the book, but the movie was awful. Fast forwarded through most of it.
I watched it the other night. The only good thing I will say about it is that the acting was so good that it made Any Adams unattractive. And she is a pretty woman. So, is that good?
If you have two hours that you want to feel like four....
I watched a decent chunk of it on Netflix. It’s a mess, yet has some powerful scenes in it (good actors).
There wasn’t any way Ron Howard could show the truth that all white people are evil?
It was mediocre. I think the criticism of it here fits well.
It’s Netflix. The 0bamas have poisoned that well.
I never thought the book should be made into a movie. I’ve liked several of Ron Howard’s films, but in this political climate this mistreatment was entirely predictable. Read the book. It’s sad in places, funny at times, and ultimately inspiring. Expect a Hollywood bereft of original ideas to ruin it!
Too bad he has let Hollyweird mess with his head. His early stuff showed he can be a good director.