Hate to be cliche' but the book is better. The movie is really just your typical sports drama. It is good, but it lacked some character development. Specifically not going into more detail about how difficult Joe's childhood really was. It also, barely mentions the other 7 rowers on the boat. In the book they also, go into a little more detail about what 1936 Germany was like. Hitler was time's man of the year, it was a big deal and yet the boys could sense somethings were just off. The movie does not go into any of that and acts like everyone hated the Germans, but we were years off from that. Overall, good but if you like History and want to get to know the other characters go read the book.