This is a beautiful movie filled w/ great performances. The ending is changed which kept me from giving it 10 stars but I also know Thornton Wilder approved the change. He said because it's a film, the characters are too close to the audience & the original ending would be unbearably sad. I don't understand or agree with that decision because the ending is the heart of the play's lesson. We don't know how precious every moment is in life until we've lost it. I can,however, ignore the changes while remembering how the original play ends, apply it and love everything that comes before it. There are some on here who have called it slow & even boring. Lol. It demonstrates how shallow people can be. How removed from empathy are they? Are they too self involved & incapable of experiencing the depth of the story it tells? I'm afraid, yes. Our Town is not boring. It moves at an appropriate pace. I even wish it had lingered longer in some scenes. Those raised on a constant barrage of comic book heroes & fantasy junk probably won't care about these characters & the heartfelt representation of family, love, tragedy & acceptance of what is. If you want to watch what is one of our finest plays, well adapted to film, seek it out and let it unfold. If you have the ability to empathize with others & let their story be reflected in your own life, you too will love this movie. It is a masterpiece but make sure you have a handkerchief or a box of tissue close by.
