If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Poorly acted piece of garbage! Don't waste your time!

My problem is not with the incest, as we know that's wrong! And the guy and girl weren't actually brother and sister. Plus, a storyteller has the right to tell a story of incest--if they want! The problem with this movie is the age of the youngest of the two and the difference between a 12-14 year old and an 18 year old, esp. when the oldest is a man! Wasn't Shipka(Cathy) too young?! You have an adult in almost mature love scenes with an ACTUALLY younger than 15 yr old girl! Don't they usually cast young looking 18 year olds for these roles?! You mean they couldn't find someone like that for this role! You open a statutory rape issue, unnecessary hormone infusing(with a young girl), possible addiction, possible suicide, etc. that goes along with introducing sex into a child. It may be going on, but it shouldn't be and should be tastefully done when the story is told in a public forum. You may even create a hormonal relationship not built on love between the two. Where were the parents of this girl(she was 12-14, depending on what info you believe)? It seems like severe neglect charges should be brought up against them and it seems like all profiting parties(Lifetime) should be severely criminally liable(crime happening for hire) for what happens in the movie! Great movie otherwise, but sometimes there are more important things than the quality of a movie! A pervert or pedophile manifesto(Lifetime edition)!

A good, well written and directed film which mostly follows the plot in the book, sometimes in different orders. The children actors are good and exactly like the Dresden dolls in the book, and looked close to the age of the characters in the book. Although this could have been better as the twins were only 4 when they went in and the child actors were around 7 throughout the film, therefore not showing they aged. This could have linked to the second book/film. The film showed a good relationship between the children and how things would have been trapped in an attic for over 3 years. Some acting could be better, especially from Heather Graham. Clothes and props were good although some were too "new" for the 1950s. Not as good as the original film in my opinion, where the characters were more blond(e) and although this didn't follow the story directly it was slightly better written.

I am ashamed to say that until I saw this movie, I had no idea about the existence of the book.I didn't even know the plot of the movie, but that was the best part because it was full of unpredictable moments that only made me more curious and fascinated.It's a strange idea that shows us how cruel can people be, even though they act so innocent and how sometimes the one that wants to hurt you is right there in your family.The actors were OK.Not the best, but not the worst either : the one who played the grandmother acted the best, while Heather Graham wasn't exactly a good choice for her part.It's worth watching it for its intriguing story.I know it made me go and buy the books.