I've read the book and the film is a literal, uninspired word for word visualization - no added nuance of character or story. I found the direction to be lacking and felt like the soundtrack tried to make up for flat scenes and inspired characters. Critic Hanna Flint put it best...
"French Exit boasts an assured cast but drab direction and lazy writing ensure the characters are never as eccentric, cutting or interesting as the film's tinkling score would have you believe."