Veronika Decides to Die

source: Veronika Decides to Die

Bearing some similarities with "Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself" I was somewhat skeptic from the start but quickly realised this had something else to offer. Cinematography was beautiful as were the sceneries, but acting as a whole was terrible. Dr. Blake was really quite good and Edward showed glimpses of greatness but that was all. For someone sinking, Veronika showed remarkable composure throughout and the attempt to show the patients as the only truly sane went completely overboard and lost the subtlety that would have been so becoming. The underlying story is good but implementation simply didn't do it justice. And what is it with these "Victorian" asylums? Surely they *did* exist in latter days - but this weird fusion between modern day therapy and a 100 year old perception of lunacy is contrived at best.

I first read the book when it was released and I thought it deserves to be a movie because the story is so strong and moving. The only question I had in mind in my imagination was; who would be Veronica? Then after they decided to do the movie, it came to me as a pleasant surprise that Sarah was chosen, I was so happy and I loved her since she did Buffy the Vampire slayer. She is fit to the part and she did a good job. This movie is deep and makes you change the way you live your life. It makes you want to embrace life and use every moment and live each day as if it is your last. I hope this movie gets what it deserves because it does deserve the best.

Anyone who has experienced someone close committing or attempting to commit suicide will know how difficult it is to come to terms with not having noticed the signs, done something differently, or been less selfish. And yet this film strips away so many of the myths about suicide it deserves to be watched for taking on us a trip through many simple truths. From Paulo Coelho's profound story, through Emily Young's sensitive direction, and Sarah Michelle Gellar's superbly crafted performance of Veronika, this film is rich in things to spoil yourself with. The story is simple: Veronika decides to die and we are lead on a trip through human wonderland from there on. There are no spoilers here, and, no matter what ending you wish for as the characters evolve you are going to be taken on a wonderful waltz around the drawing room as the onion layers are stripped away. My only criticism is the overuse of soft speech against the soundtrack of some often wonderful piano music, but I forgive the film this fault because it has so much more to offer than words. David Thewlis gives a very thoughtful portrayal of the often unorthodox Dr Blake. This isn't perhaps the greatest cinema but it is compelling as a drama and deserves to be up there with the best movies you can watch.

This is a story about a suicidal girl. At first I was enjoying it because I could relate to it. Veronika is institutionalized for wanting to commit suicide. Inside she rebels and tries to reject everyone around her. She plays the piano and this attracts a resident that is usually very solitary. With her music, she seems to reach something inside of him that might help bring him out of his shell. By feeling needed by someone else, we can all see value in our own lives and we can stop living for what we can do for ourselves, but what we can do for others and we can start to see our value and maybe what some of our talents are capable of. Veronika seems to come to these realizations as she explores reaching out to this male resident.

I found the movie disappointing. What is the movie really telling us? "Live every day like you are going to die?" OK. If I am going to die soon, I max out my credit cards, rent a Ferrari, eat at the finest restaurants, have sex with the most beautiful models... Then what? She just happens to find a really good looking, in-shape, twenty-something guy, who happens to not talk much, an incredible artist, and worships her with every cell in his body... hmmmmm... Sounds realistic! (every college educated white woman's fantasy). That is until the bills are due, the car is repossessed, and you find out you have an unwanted pregnancy and STD. I don't mean to be a wet blanket, but I wish it contained a little more reality.

I watched this movie last night, being an avid reader of Paulo Coelho's Books. This really captures the best of the book. It'd be extremely hard to put it all in, specially because knowing the way the author describes it so well. The actors really play their roles, i enjoyed the most, Dr. Blake and Veronika. The parents weren't as good as they should be given the small role they had. If you are a fan of the book, watch it, you won't be disappointed. Watch it even if you never the book. I really hope the next book to be adapted is Rio Piedra.

Clearly I am not the only Paolo Coelho fan and we have all been waiting a while for one of his books to make it to the big movie screen. wow! Wouldn't have chosen this as the first and if I recall from the book, the story is set in slovenia or slovakia or somewhere like that - why oh why is the story moved to New York and USA? The film is excellent and an emotional roller-coaster though I really don't think there is enougjh chemistry in the film between Veronika and Edward which was the heart of the story in the book. Almost a Twlight new Moon re-written. Sarah Michelle Gellar is definitely sensational in the lead role as Veronika and nobody, above nobody, should miss seeing this film. Coelho is one of the words most sensitive and interpretative writers of human emotions and thinks film does all the soul-searching for you. Not a long film but it didn't need to be. I was so thrilled to watch it and I am looking forward to more of P C making it!

I just saw the movie...i have no words,absolutely fantastic. the greatest Gellar's performance in her whole career. the scene when Veronika plays the piano in front of Edward is one of the best i've ever seen:fantastic movie,great recitation...you have the impression to be in a dream.the soundtrack is also very good and intense as in the piano scene as in the escape scene.sets are also very good,the clinic is absolutely great,this gave to the outside scenes a great impact and touch. Director Emily Young did another great job,this also for Melissa Leo...her Mari was so believable and touching...I really hope that this movie will have a wide release,i think that would be a great movie for adults and teenagers too!

This film is not a flashy, Hollywood story. It does not move quickly and it is not designed to be eye-catching. It is however, a poignant, beautiful piece of expert film-making. Emily Young directs with an even pace, great attention to detail and she has a knack for focusing in on specific physical details which enrich the emotional architecture of the story. She also, most importantly, understands human behaviour and emotion. Sarah Michelle Gellar gives a touching, powerful performance as Veronika and anchors the film's strong cast. She will captivate you. Paulo Coelho's fantastic book is given a fantastic adaptation here. Yes, it's true that much of the story is cut for length and the setting has been changed. But the deeper messages, subtext and soul of the story are perfectly intact. I recommend this film for any artist, any soulful human being... and anyone who's become jaded and needs to remember how miraculous life can sometimes be. This film left me in tears... It is beautiful.