It's one of the few movies I've postponed watching, over and over again. and there weren't many. Maybe it was because of all the publicity and discussions and articles and all that. Maybe I waited for the dust to settle.  Maybe it's because I've read the novel years ago and wasn't really sure it can be adapted for the screen. Don't know exactly.
Then I tried watching it.  Managed to stay through the whole movie only the third time.
It's a visual experience, I'll give it that. But I have the feeling they've put too much accent on the visuals, in the detriment of the story. Oh yes, there are the English gardens, and the green evening gown, and the Dunkirk beach... The images spoke to me. Sadly, the characters didn't. I saw their lips moving, I heard the lines, but couldn't feel anything for them.
The movie was the postcard, but to get the undertones of the story, one needs to read the novel.
At least I did.
Maybe it's because McEvan's novels, just like Kundera's, cannot be adapted for the screen. Not fully. Not without stripping them of their soul.
Or maybe it's just me.
*shrugs*