This is one of the few movies that I've waited to see after I read the book and I'm glad i did it. It's the easiest way of understanding the director's perception but also to dig out the flaws. Overally, I was generally pleased with this piece of work, as it is one of the few movies that achieves to considerably be loyal to the book. Gripping, intense, thought provoking, a beautiful photography and solid performances by the cast make this an essential for those who like "brain-washing" films. However, Fernando Meirelles, was unable to give us a fragrance of Saramago's beautiful prose. I even ask myself if that is somewhat possible because there's so much poetry in what the Portuguese author writes that transposing it to the big screen isn't at all a guaranteed mission and an easy task - 7/10.