Pretty Good

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

This isn't a tidy little movie with a predictable end, predictable characters nor script— rather this is a compelling, profoundly moving film refreshing in how delicate it is. The performances are nuanced and the dialogue and story lines have a verisimilitude that left me feeling touched by the characters. They felt "real." That is rare in any film— that quality where you stop watching actors and start watching characters and feel their pain, hopes, dreams. I only saw this movie by accident as my boyfriend and I got to the theater to see another film which happened to be sold out and seats were available for this film. Lucky for me.

After seeing this film at Sundance in January 2005, it haunted me for months. Both the story and the actors' performances were heart-wrenching, especially when you know this is based on true events. Kip Pardue,with whom I was unfamiliar until seeing this movie, was particularly memorable in his role. Bonnie Hunt and Tess Harper, too, played their roles well. In discussing this film with friends, we pointed out all of the different ways the story depicted "loggerheads" situations--a great title choice. See it for yourself when it opens this winter, and perhaps you'll agree with me about its great dramatic storyline and powerful resonance. Oh, and don't forget your tissues.

I was thoroughly engrossed watching this movie. The performances were outstanding and very current in view of the backlash of religious fervor flooding the country since Bush. All the characters are well drawn and the gradual melding of the story lines was quite surprising. The humanity and understated pride in being what we are is a the main benefit I gained from enjoying this great movie. Bonnie Hunt had not been a favorite actress of mine but I really enjoyed her in this and felt very moved by the Tess Harper character and her struggle to find her own viewpoint, separate from her preacher husband. The location shooting added a lot to the atmosphere.

This movie is a story inspired by the experiences of North Carolina birth mother. It is a compassionate story which shows feelings from all sides of the adoption triangle. But what is most important to me is how this movie shows that secrets and "closets" can hold dramatic life-altering psychological issues for everyone involved. If one ever wondered why open adoption records are a "must" in our society, then this movie may answer some of those questions. At the end of the movie it states 'a loving tribute..". My only regret is that "Mark" was not given the opportunity to know just how much he meant to and is loved by his birth mother (whom I have had the pleasure and honor of knowing for several years)! That is the tragedy of closed adoption records. "Mark" died never knowing the real truth.