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'Taming Andrew' (as this film is titled in the UK) is an insight into how children abducted from their custodial parent by the parent who lost the court battles are not always raised in happy, loving environments. It is a sad film into how one child's life was devastated by his bitter father whose only interest in his son was to use him as a means to hurt his ex-wife.

The film centres on Gail, whose second husband Eddie has become a loving father figure to her three-year-old son Andrew, with the three of them forming a close family unit. However, Andrew's natural father Ted still have visitation rights so one summer afternoon he arrives to take his young son for the day. Only this time, he has no intention of returning the boy. Five years pass, during which a devastated Gail never gives up on her son, when suddenly Ted calls and announces he's sending Andrew home. But the withdrawn, emotionally-stunted eight-year-old Gail and Eddie collect is a far cry from the sunny-natured toddler they remembered. Gail soon discovers that while she might physically have her son back, she faces another fight to help this skittish, traumatised child reintegrate into the family and into society in general while finding the key to unlocking what brutalities he endured at the hands of his father during the years he was missing.

Young Seth Adkins was absolutely phenomenal as Andrew, giving a breath-taking performance of a little boy who is emotionally deeply hurt and whose behaviour is almost feral in nature. Through Adkins', you truly get a sense that Andrew is very much a frustrated and angry boy taught to react on instinct, knowing what he's doing is often wrong but is unable to stop himself even though he really does just want to be 'normal'. Park Overall also gives a strong performance as Gail, the devoted mother who is determined never to give up on her son while battling her own underlying guilt for letting him go with Ted in the first place.

'Taming Andrew' really depicts the hard lives faced by many children involved in familial abduction where they are often made to move from place-to-place and, in the case of those kidnapped out of vindictiveness rather than love, they have to endure abuse by those who are meant to care for them. In many ways, Andrew's situation is made worse by the fact it was his own father who ruined his childhood rather than some random stranger and this is something touched upon in the film. It also shows that when children are returned, it isn't easy to adjust back into their family and school (and I imagine that is the case even for kids who have been well-cared for).

This is a poignant film that doesn't deviate from the realities of surviving child abuse and abduction with engaging performances by all involved. It might be a made-for-TV drama but it's still first class.

Incredible acting from the little boy, some of the best I've ever seen. The story is scary, the horrors little Andrew had to suffer makes this story terrifying. There was good acting all around but incredible acting from the actor who plays Andrew.

'After an abduction of five years, a mother must fight for the love of her son.......before she loses him forever'

A beautifully told heartbreaking true story. With believable performances from all of the cast, the young Seth Adkins in the title role of Andrew was fantastic. He carried out even the most emotionally harrowing scenes with credibility and flair, making his character lovable despite his withdrawn and odd behaviour. You can feel all the characters' pain and joy throughout and the film is not to be forgotten easily. It speaks to the heart, and will leave an impression behind.

This is a story of loving unconditionally, of never giving up on somebody, and believing the best of them. It is inspiring, and shows the strength of bond between a mother and her child.

This is a brilliant film to watch with your family, as it is suitable for most ages. I would recommend this highly.

Marvelous true-story about a child taken by his father to get revenge on his ex-wife. It's the story of an adorable child who is brought back 5 years later as not only older but severely socially and mentally maladjusted from this horrible experience.

The film deals with the attempts by his mother and stepfather to bring the child back to the normal world. What a rocky road they had before them. The child no longer spoke to them, accidentally sets fire to their house and there may be possible jealousy brewing with the baby brother who has been born in the interim.

We have a fine acting performance by Park Overall as the distraught mother.

Even though she rejects the idea of sending the boy to a school for troubled children, she was really looking for trouble in sending the child to a regular school. Obviously, he was way behind academically and socially. She finally takes him out and home schools him.

After a bitter outburst by the child when he hears what his mother says, he finally talks and tells her of the abuse he had gone through.

This because also deals with the bureaucratic red tape that the mother had to endure when she filed a missing person's report.

This is a movie of rare quality that should not be missed for its psychological, sociological, and psychiatric implications.

I hadn't planned on viewing this film. I had been watching the program before it and simply didn't turn the television off or change the channel. After about 15 minutes into it, I was pulled into the strong story. The film was thoroughly engrossing and the performances, especially that of young Seth Adkins, were superb. I found myself in tears throughout the film and the ending caused me to completely break down. I can't recommend this film enough. Next time it's on, please don't miss it.