Charly

I was disappointed that the story seemed to take a back seat to pushing the religious message. If the viewer already is "in the fold," this will probably be enormously satisfying. Others may feel like they've been duped. I didn't think it was worth the $9 admission I had to pay. My fault for going to a movie that wasn't reviewed in the paper, haha.

Actually, I thought Heather Beers' performance was outstanding, as was that of the woman who played her artist-grandmother, but the other characters were shallow and underdeveloped, especially the leading man, who had a lot of screen time and should have come through with more depth . . . but then I don't think that was the goal of the movie. The message is, "If you accept the church, your life will have more meaning."

I loved this movie. It made you feel like change is possible and you can accomplish anything with God's help. It helped me to believe that God does hear and answer our prayers and that we shouldn't judge people by the way they look or act. Go see this movie it is truly a life changing experience. You won't regret it. Take kleenex's

I have not read any of Jack Weyland's work, even though I found a lecture he gave quite entertaining. My wife had to coax me into watching this movie. She hasn't read the book, either. I thought the movie was a little long and slow, but also thought provoking and well made for an LDS film.

"Charly" seemed like two separate stories to me. The first half of the movie is about Charly's internal struggle. She resolves it, and the movie could end there, happily ever after. I'm not sure I would watch the sequel, however. The second half of the movie is more poignant. In this story, Sam struggles with his own beliefs, and his struggle seems more intense than Charly's. The second half of this movie is better than the first, but it takes a long time to get there!

The movie makes you think about your own beliefs and the important things in life. Personally, I enjoy movies that make me think or make me want to be better.

The quality is better than most LDS films to date. The lead actors do a fairly good job, despite their lack of experience. Many of the supporting actors leave something to be desired, however.

"Charly" is a top-notch film for the LDS genre. It ranks up there with "The Other Side of Heaven" and "Roots and Wings." Such movies don't require you to be a Mormon to enjoy the story they tell. The love story in "Charly" could happen to a person of any faith. This one just happens to take place in Salt Lake City.

CHARLY is one of those movies that really don't care if it's seen as being too sugary. It is what it is, and those who enjoys its positive message of faith will certainly enjoy it, while those who shuns such feelings will certainly continue to shun it. Your enjoyment of the film depends on your level of awareness with yourself. Do you mock people who have faith? If so, then CHARLY is not for you.

As a standalone movie, CHARLY is a worthwhile film, with terrific performances by the two young leads. Although the female lead's unnatural-sounding dialogue gets a bit tedious in the beginning, her transformation from carefree city girl to worthwhile human being also makes her more affable. A good thing too, because her "city girl" dialogue is really, to put it mildly, atrocious.

A good movie, with a heartfelt message it wants to tell, and does. The ending is like many films with religious themes, so those familiar with the genre won't be surprised. Those who haven't delved into the genre, though, may be a bit shocked.

7 out of 10

(go to www.nixflix.com for a more detailed review of this movie and reviews of other genre and Indie films)

I am not a big movie goer. For one I simply can not afford them and to go in to a theater and be insulted by what I see makes me mad. I love action, and to be honest I love sex, however I don't enjoy seeing other people have it. I am not really into the "chick flicks" either. I like one I can go home and feel excited about and actually feel like I was there. I never cry in movies, it is just not me. I may get teary eyed, but I do that when I watch my children dance or play. However the movie Charley touched me in a way I can not even explain. I felt the joy and sorrow in that movie. I felt like I knew these people and they were my friends. I not only got teary eyed, but I lost it, I totally lost it. I did not take my kleenex, I never need them, so I had to get some napkins. This was not an LDS movie, this was a love story that was centered around a belief that happened to be LDS. We have movies that are centered around Jews. (Jazz singer) or catholics and we do not say, "awwww that was a Jewish movie". This movie is touching in the fact that this man believed so much in his faith and yet had challenges that made him question it. Yet it was a love story that could make you be there and want that for yourself. It was clean, and funny and Hollywood should take note.

I would recommend Charley to anyone of any faith that would enjoy a good clean movie that can make you laugh and make you cry. Look past the low budget and see the heart of the movie and the actors. It was a movie that did not need all the big props and lights, the story is what gave it the heart.