This sets up the relation between the two leads very well and it is fun to see their lives move apart in completely different directions. The concentration is a little too heavy on Mara's life which keeps the movie from going in too deep and dark which dilutes the end a little. That's also the reason that we never truly see the transformation of Jo into a desperate life (other than one scene). But this was a very realistic look at two friends lives that go in completely opposite directions.

B