The timing was perfect. I just finished a leisurely (meaning, as time allowed) reading of the 1978 National Book Award winner, Max Perkins: Editor of Genius, by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author Scott Berg. I had been telling everyone how I loved this great book about the best editor ever. It captured time, place and personalities to perfection.

And there it was: a news item announcing the opening of Genius, adapted from Berg’s book. Impressive cast: Colin Firth as Perkins, Jude Law as Thomas Wolfe and Nicole Kidman, Wolfe’s long-time paramour. Another favorite, Laura Linney, plays Perkins’s wife, Louise. Throw in portrayals of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway for good measure. Delicious ingredients for a tasty movie, selected to compete for the Golden Bear at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival.

Coincidence on coincidence: I’d be in the city beloved by me and Max Perkins – New York — when the movie debuted in the U.S. I hastily re-arranged my busy schedule to see the movie on its opening day.

And then the reviews came in. On the downside of “mixed”. Fans of Thomas Wolfe may be entranced but, reportedly, the handsome production quality of the film isn’t enough to hold up the wordy script and Law’s over-acting. Despite the stellar cast, one wonders why the leads are Aussie and English when there are so many equally excellent American actors who could portray the epitome of American literary genius.

The clips I saw in promotions didn’t impress me (and, boy, did I want to be impressed!). My great balloon of excitement and anticipation rapidly deflated. I’ve re-categorized this must-see-now movie to the when-it’s on DVD-and-I-have-time list .

If only the screenplay writer and director had the spirit of Max Perkins in them, we might have gotten the film adaptation Max Perkins: Editor of Genius deserved. Fortunately, we still have the book.