This was one of my favorite books while growing up, and I was thrilled to see that someone had filmed it. Like most people who see a movie after they've read the novel, I was disappointed in some of the discrepancies; if you have also read and loved the book, you'll be surprised at the complete omission of Janey, Tim's blind sister, and at the end of the tale, which is considerably different (and much cheerier in tone). The cast was well chosen, except for Perdita, who I'd always pictured as much smaller, more vulnerable and haunted-looking. Actress Sammy Glenn is very appealing, but seems far too robust and cheerful to be playing this sensitive, frightened, lonely young girl.
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James M88 January 2002
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PDXozoner13 February 2012It's a pleasant movie particularly for pre-teens but it has so many moments when characters do completely illogical things that it begins to generate groans of "Oh come on," and I'm not referring to the psychic plot points which are perfectly acceptable given the nature of the story.
The acting is competent, if not particularly inspired, all around but the reviewer who criticized the "robust cheerfulness" of the young actress who plays Perdita was spot on.
I kept watching in no small measure because of the location shots which are lovely, but if I were Scottish, I'd be thoroughly cranky about the clichéd stereotypes written for most of the supporting characters.