Pretty Good

Good movie but grossly overrated

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Blistering performances.

To begin with I have not read the book, and I can understand frustration when films aren't faithful to books, I hate that too. I first saw this film when I was a kid and was enthralled by the atmosphere, characters and story and the memory stayed with me. I have seen it twice since then as an adult, and still love it.I do understand worrying that it will scare children (and I certainly wouldn't show it to a 5 year old, it's not meant for small children) but I think that lots of children would love this film and parents should base it on their own knowledge of their children, most parents know roughly what their own kids will love and what they will find scary. I've been trying to find a DVD of this but there isn't one :(

Alright, we'll be honest - the film isn't perfect. BUT it does have more redeeming features than a lot of modern crap that's hyped and huge (naming no names Mission Impossible 2 and 3!). Amongst these redeeming features is the stunning scenery. The luscious snow that we know was created by good ol' mother nature and not CGI - *cough*LotR**cough*. The beautiful house in which the girls live give the film a definite sense of period realism and creates the claustrophobia that makes the film scarier. Then there's the quite frankly marvellous Stephanie Beaucham. Whether her character is gorgeous or grotesque Beaucham always manages to camp it up wonderfully and seems to be having a truly good time chewing up all of the scenery. Her subtle nuances and facial ticks create so much humour for an older audience and she has all of the best lines. We also need to bare in mind that this film was made some seventeen years ago, meaning that yes, it probably has dated a little, but that doesn't mean that it can't be entertainment along the lines of 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' for a new generation. Deaths aside.

You didn't make this movie up (well obviously since it's on this site). I watched it growing up too and my mom taped it. My friend and I watched it a few days ago. Basic summery--although I must warn you, I'm really bad at summaries: A girl goes to stay with her cousin while her Aunt and Uncle travel--I believe some place warm so the mother can get better. However, once the parents are gone, the women left in charge turns out to be not such a nice person. She has plotted to have the parent's ship sunk, fired all the servants except for two, forged a will saying she gets all the money (instead of the two girls). When she realizes the girls have discovered her plan, she sends them to the factory--which is the part you remember. It's a clothes washing place, and during their escape the boy watching the workers gets stuck in the clothing press. In the end, the girls escape and return home, I think they kill the women or the wolves get her or something. Anywho, the parents return--evidently surviving the sinking ship, and I'm supposing they all live happily ever after.

I thought this was a great movie for older children. I think very young children might not like one or two of the scenes