The Confession

This movie is both not as deep and not as much about the Amish as the first movie. Sure, the Amish are still part of the story but more as background with a few diversions back to mam and dat in Hickory Hollow. This is more of a story about a con scheme and how it unfolds. The viewer knows most of the players and what the con is. The question is will the con be uncovered and how. I liked the way it played out. A combination of dramatic and sappy. Nice sap. Also, this is not really a romance despite being from Hallmark. There's a hint of romance, but not quite yet.

There is a gripping scene with Katie Leclerc on guitar playing Be Thou My Vision. It was very well done and should have been the closing. This is older Hallmark so I'm not sure if this is out of character at the time, but the hymn is a perfect touch to bring out the faith aspect of the movie.

Instead there is a sequence which reminds the viewer that there is one more chapter in this story.

I didn't think Leclerc had to go as deep as Panabaker did in The Shunning but she still did an excellent job.

A young Amish woman tries to meet her birth mother, but is beaten to the meeting by an imposter

there is no excuse, much less reason, to denigrate the movie by further lowering yourself by the outrageous referral to down syndrome - how 19th century of you. the movie is enjoyable and many of us with various handicaps actually NEED a calm, well told, beautifully set story. the actors and actresses - yes, I prefer the difference - did an excellent job of presenting their characters, having spent time in Missouri's Mennonite country, I appreciate the effort it takes to become "bilingual" as it were. I would appreciate knowing the location of the beautiful home used as the family mansion. I have been to Canandegua, but remember nothing so grand, wonderful people and my only view of the Erie Canal. Why did the credits only reference North Carolina. a word to those responsible for the credits. there are many of us who must rely on your thoroughness as a bedside tour guide. and for those wondering, my problems include doing all my typing with one finger. do not impair my ability to enjoy a good story.

I loved the whole story of this second part of the trilogy. The script was wrote, acted, and directed well. There were two actor changes that I noticed. The main character Katie is a new actress as well as the husband of her birth mom. I much would have preferred the original Katie as she did such a great job in The Shunning. The new actress for Katie was good but my heart was with the previous.

The script was absolute nonsense, dettached from reality & in complete contrast from the first movie of the series, which was phenomenal. The most important pieces I was on the edge of my seat for never took place. Nothing more than an honorary nod. I am outraged & willing to debate every last individual on this one.

7.4 stars.

I liked this one better than 'The Shunning', because there is more to the story and it's not totally shrouded in an Amish atmosphere. The producers could have made the first one better if they had provided more to the story, given us more variety and simply enlarged it a bit more. I certainly didn't enjoy the fact they dropped the original actress for this one. But I'm guessing she chose not to be in this for her own reasons. So we are left with this actress, who at first does not satisfy my subtle desire for continuity and consistency, however she grows on you. Actually, the actress who plays her doppelganger of sorts, was actually a better fit for the leading role. I actually liked her more.

Overall 'The Confession' is not a better film than 'The Shunning' in most respects, like cinematography, acting, music...but what was ten times better is the storyline, writing and dialogue. And we had a sinister man with a sinister plot to get the inheritance (not really sinister, but it was criminal). Just that aspect alone elevates this film above the first. I am somewhat disappointed to have no choice but rate this higher, because the first one was much higher quality production (in my opinion). If only they had made this a two movie set instead of three and stayed with the original actress...