Movie #2088 ........................." The Hillbilly Elegy" (netflix)

 Movie #2088 "The Hillbilly Elegy" (netflix)  I had a chance to read the book and got just so far (maybe P. 60?)  and put it down because I wasn't getting  to the story, but  I must say, the story starts  out quite  strong here  in this film, and it kept my interest throughout.  So much so, that now I am interested  in going back and reading the book to see how they compare ---  because I have been hearing that there are some big differences.  Since I didn't read the book, I just have the movie to comment  on --- and it was a winner to me, and a for sure academy award nomination for Glenn Close as the grandma , and another possibility to Amay Adams as the mom.  I didn't really realize that this story was about a kid growing  up in a really bad situation, raising himself up by his boot strings to graduate from Yale (a story similar to one that occurred in "Educated" , too, but I disliked that book a lot because of the amount  of abuse the reader is expected to read).  In  this film, in the hands of Ron Howard, the abuse is there  --- but it is done in such poignant  scenes and just enough to keep our interest to continue watching  --- Oh, it's hard to watch at times, with mom and her weaknesses, but the boy and his grandma have such a strong relationship, it is inspiring to watch.  In comparison to "Educated,"  I believed this one --- at least, the  story I saw here in the film.  I'd give it a 4 and recommend --- it is an eye opener on  a story we don't hear a lot about except in general terms.  This one is  up close and personal.

"THE HILLBILLY ELEGY"  (netflix)

An urgent phone call pulls a Yale Law student back to his Ohio hometown, where he reflects on three generations of family history and his own future.

Director:

 Ron Howard

Writers:

 J.D. Vance (based on the book by), Vanessa Taylor

Stars:

 Amy Adams, Glenn Close, Gabriel Basso