I Am Elizabeth Smart

Elizabeth Smart is a truly remarkable woman, and for her to have the courage to detail her story in this manner is nothing short of incredible. No detail is left out, on purpose I'd assume. Her message shows that she is not guilty of what happened to her and those who share similar abuse stories should not be ashamed. For her to agree to do such a detailed and accurate rendition of her story is amazing, and I can not recommend you watch this film enough (and her book, "My Story"), if anything for the lessons of resilience and courage.

This is how I had hoped the film would be: her view, and her view alone, with an explanation of why she did what she did. Now I get it. She truly didn't feel like it was as easy as that to escape or ask for help. They were both masters at mind games. I could see myself in her place believing at any moment he would kill the person she asked for help from and/or my family. I found myself admiring her and rejoicing in the little miracles that came her way. Acting, on everyone's part, was stellar. I would recommend this movie.

I remember when Elizabeth Smart was Kidnapped, I was eleven years old and I am from Salt Lake City Utah. My parents would watch the news reports and updates on her kidnapping, I remember some things but not a lot of things. I remember when she was finally found, and I remember feeling relieved and I was happy, I was a kid then and her situation scared me.

I heard about this 2017 tv movie and I decided to check it out at my local library, watching it all these emotions came to me, anger, disgust, hope, and fear. What makes this movie so real is the fact that it's based on actual events, and it is narrated by Elizabeth Smart herself. What this woman went through as a young teenage girl is horrific. The actors and actresses did an amazing job, Alana Boden who played Smart was phenomenal, and Skeet Ulrich did amazing as the psycho Brian David Mitchell the way he played Mitchell just sucked you in, Deirdre Lovejoy was amazing too as Wanda Barzee Mitchells psychotic assistant, and first wife. I believe everything that went on in this movie and how it was acted out, plus if it is coming from Elizabeth's mouth it is true and I believe it. I'm giving I am Elizabeth Smart 10/10, a story of a true survivor and what she went through.

This film seems like a Charles Manson story clone. Very slow to watch if it was on the Cinema I would demand my money back. These film are either great or pathetically poor. I get no buzz from this at all.

Some will think this tale is too tall to be believed. I say, please compare it to all others. How rare is it that a victim survives such an assault? This poor girl's parents...my goodness, to feel so powerless against evil of this magnitude. In spite of the parents being such good, giving people... This poor little girl had her life stolen from her, and she's risked ridicule and scorn by actively working to create in society a higher level of alertness so it can better-protect other children.

As a movie, a lot was left to be desired. Acting, fit and finished were by far no cinematic masterpieces on par with Casino or Scarface or Gone With The Wind. But, this is a *True *Story!!! Who cares about the presentation, the acting, the absolute "fit and finish"? This is a devastating yet touching story brought to the public eye with great help from the survivor of a wicked tragedy. If this were a street race, this is the old car that wins races slowly but surely. Because it's not intended to entertain, it's intended to educate and broaden understandings. Don't break-out the pints and nuts and/or popcorn in preparation for entertainment. Open your minds as you would while watching any documentary-based movie. And learn a lesson in human nature in some people living in the US of A.