Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%
View MoreIt's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.
View MoreThe movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful
View MoreA clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.
I have to check the spoiler box because I suppose I have to discuss aspects of this film that didn't make much sense to me.While the movie was good for what it was (Hallmark), I felt many of the scenes were short and cut off abruptly, moving quickly on to something else. Like....several mini scenes all strung together to try and tell a story.We then have Daniel...Katie's boyfriend from three years prior.This part of the story didn't feel like it belonged or wasn't really necessary.Who was Daniel and what was going on with that whole thing? He's some mystery boy who liked her music, but somehow disappeared and hasn't returned. It's like she talked to his ghost and a few scenes spent time showing memories of them. Why? They never said how he disappeared or why he never came back. He tells her to never give up her music in case something happens to him. Huh? Can this be more ominous?Daniels part in this was lost on me....completely.I LIKE the idea of this, but it wasn't executed correctly.The movie ends leaving you feeling unsatisfied with it all.Was it worth the watch? Yes, but could have been done so much better.
View MoreLife among the Amish is depicted in this 2011 film. An Amish family loses their baby in the hospital at childbirth, and takes the illegitimate daughter of a 16 year old as their own. They bring the baby back to Lancaster County and everyone is led to believe that this is their child.Fast forward 20 years later and the child, now a young lady, is engaged to marry a widower with two sons. It is at this point that the real mother, who is terminally ill, suddenly shows up to see the daughter she gave up years before.While this is a very good movie, I have two questions to pose. The young man who died early and was the boyfriend of Katie, our young girl, was he Amish or not? Secondly, how about shunning the parents for not telling Katie that she was adopted.The picture, as stated, is a good one as it reflects the differences among the Amish in an ever changing world and their refusal to accept the modern world. We see a crack at the end.While Katie goes off to see her real mother,will she really ever return to her Amish parents, or how can they keep them down on the farm after they've seen Paris? We wonder as the film ends.
View MoreAbsolutely lovely story about the coming of age of a young adopted woman. Especially impressed with the performances of Danielle Panabaker, who really nailed the Amish accent, and newcomer David Topp, who I hope will be brought back in what is sure to be a series of wonderful, family friendly movies. We are looking forward to the rest of the series.Would like to congratulate Michael Landon Jr. for choosing a terrific cast and crew, the beautiful filming of the movie makes it even more enjoyable. Also enjoyed the look inside the Amish culture, and, while I realize it may not all be exactly accurate, it is a compelling story which kept our whole family interested. We will be very disappointed if Hallmark does not decide to continue and finish the series. Would really like to see the same cast back for continuity, and because they were all really great!
View MoreOverall, this was a good movie and I really enjoyed it. However, I didn't like how it differed from the book in some aspects that are very important to the plot. I've read all three books in the series, so was excited to see the movie. I agree with a previous reviewer in that it does seem to be a bit rushed. Except for some things like wedding bands (real Amish don't wear any jewelry), it wasn't too Hollywood-ized. I expected it to vary from the book because every movie based on I book that I've seen did except for Band of Brothers. I do hope that Hallmark will continue with the series this year and not make us wait a couple of years for the next one as with the Sarah Plain and Tall series.
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