If you have not read the book, skip the movie. The film tried to copy the book line for line of dialogue, and became stilted because of it--- movies are visual---why not show what you mean and let the audience deduce information instead of having characters say all the information aloud?
The acting wasn't awful. They were just so darned earnest all the time.
I laughed out loud at a part that was not meant to be funny---my apologies to the young girls sitting behind me who were very serious about the scene.
I love the books and accompanied my 14 year old to the showing, so we had a nice evening, but I would not suggest this movie to friends.