The Face on the Milk Carton

Kellie Martin plays a girl who sees her face (a baby photo) on the back of a milk carton, and finds out about her mysterious past. It's a good movie, but the book series by Caroline Cooney is much better. They are more mysterious with more attention paid to detail. Of course, they had to cram in two books' worth of material into an hour and a half movie. And for some reason, the characters' names are different in the movie than in the books and some characters are changed or left out altogether. It's good time filler, with strong performances by Kellie Martin, Sharon Lawrence and Jill Clayburgh especially.

This movie was fantastic! Could have followed the book a little better, but all-in-all, it was a great adaptation. A must see. You might want to watch the movie first then read the books. The sequel was also part of this movie. (Whatever Happened to Janie?) Kellie Martin was fantastic as Janie. I couldn't have picked a better actress for the role.

I hate to write "A really good TV movie" as my summary title, but that is really the only way I can describe "The Face On The Milk Carton". I have seen it many times and loved it each and every one.

This movie is based on the first two novels of the 4 novel series by Caroline B. Cooney. I have read every one. Although the movie changes a lot of details and characters, (most likely due to lack of time) the movie captures the true essence of the books.

Janie Johnson sees a photo of a missing girl on the back of a milk carton and suspects that it is her. The first half of the movie is based on the first novel entitled "Face on the Milk Carton". It is about how Janie deals with the prospect that she was kidnapped and how to accept that her "parents" may not really be her parents. The second half is based on "Whatever Happened to Janie?". Janie discovers that she is actually Jennie Spring and that she belongs with her real family in another state. All throughout these events, she is supported by her friends and her boyfriend Reeve.

All of the acting by this wonderful cast is as good as it gets. Kelly Martin has since become one of my favorite actresses.

I won't give any more information away about this movie. I hope you will see it for yourself. I have frequently seen it on ABC Family Network. "Face on the Milk Carton" is an excellent movie. I think you will enjoy it as much as I do. I also suggest reading the books. They are aimed towards teenagers, but anyone can relate to the characters in both the books and the movie.

I liked the books by Caroline B. Cooney better, but the movie wasn't bad. It was actually quite enjoyable as a girl sees herself as a kidnap victim on the back of a milk carton and sets out to find her real family and unlock the secrets of her past. I liked it. Read the books and see the movie, and decide which you like better. I enjoyed them both. I thought the casting was great and the situation very intense and suspenseful, making you think, "What if?"

*** out of ****

The movie starts like a sort of mystery/thriller,when Janie pursues the truth about her past. Along the middle we find out what has happened to her and the movie changes into a human drama. I could really identify with Janie here, putting myself in her shoes. How she copes with the very sudden changes in her life really made me think about parents and family relations.

Kellie Martin(Janie) gave a fine performance.Very much recommended.:)