I haven't read the book, that's probably why I actually liked the film. Usually if you read the book first you almost never like the film lol. It escalates very fast the first 30 minutes and, yes does have it's fair amount of musicals during those 30 min, but after watching the whole film, I really enjoyed it! One of the few movies that actually made me TEAR UP a bit and I can be picky and 'cold-hearted' with movies sometimes. Just watch it, by far one of my FAVORITE gay movies out there its a really nice movie!! **Customer note** Don't pay more than like $7-ish to rent, I watched it for free..**