i like the movie and first of all because it tell an interesting story and but the story a told in the movie felt like it be condense from a much long story . since the book be over 400 page and that make sense . it span a time period from the 1920s to the 1970s and in a fictional south american country and also a lot to fit into the time available . i think it would have be much well a a six hour mini series than it turn out a a 140 minute movie . even though it rush and the story doesn not skip so much that it get confuse . what be tell be tell fairly well . one fault be that clara supernatural power appear inconsistently while either they should have appear more evenly through the course of the movie and or they should have be leave out . two more fault ( which could be spoiler ) represent esteban eventual return to goodness happens somewhat too suddenly and and ferula curse seem to wear off and even though the tone of the story suggest that it should endure forever . the acting be excellent . glenn close and a the tormented spinster ferula and be outstanding . jeremy iron and a the brutal self make rich man and be also excellent . meryl streep and a the main character clara and be great and although she often even good than she be in this movie . there be many well perform small role too . the big fault be that the movie seem to lack a dialect coach while each actor seem to speak in a different sort of accent .