Well, I haven't read the novel...yet. I just watched the movie as I always do, patiently, and I can tell you the acting was great, really top notch from everyone. I don't care how many movies shared a similar plot, I can tell you for sure this one was done right. It's true it's a bit slow at times, but it's understandable. A movie for people who can still feel with their heart, not with stupid super-heroes, not with cgi or something which nowadays appear way too often in movies. For an indie debut movie, excellent.