Interesting that you have seen the film. I have not watched the film (and do not intend to), but this was probably the most succesfull domestic film here in Germany - the novel is also a bestseller. But all of the critics absolutely despised it, though some praised the main actress in the same breath, and wondered why she agreed to play in such drivel. So there was much controversy about it here in Germany, but sadly I can't point you to any articles, as they are all in German.
Nice to see that somebody liked it, and especially a foreigner.