Il lago dei sogni

My son and I really enjoyed this film. We went to this movie quite by accident - had never heard of it - but was rated PG! How rare is that in this day and age?

The subject matter is deeper then most kids movies - the understanding of pain, losing people we love, and taking that pain to live life and love life to its fullest, not closing up to die. While this may sound like a downer it is not, the characters learn to embrace and recapture their lives in a very upbeat way.

I think one user said sappy - true. But, personally, isn't it nice to watch a film that is uplifting and makes one think about life, and pain, and living - whether you are 9, like my son, or an adult?

Also, this movie has a certain forgein film quality to it. In my opinion.

I'm sixteen and I just watched this movie. I didn't really understand the plot. It felt too slow and just had no point. In some ways, it was boring because everything was too perfect. I didn't really understand the whole thing with the circus and the black hole. The only thing I understood was that the grandpa lost his Alzheimer's when he was in the place between heaven and earth and he became friends with the girl. This movie made absolutely no sense. Someone reviewed that this movie was original, but I've seen ten million other movies like this. They go to a new world which is perfect, but they have to go back. There's also the "loss of a loved one" element in this movie. I'm hoping that one of these days the people writing scripts will create an understandable and original movie.

I just picked up this movie off the shelf because the title was interesting. I had never heard of it before. So I didn't know what to expect. It was really a surprise to find that it was good. We enjoyed it very much. The two main characters were very likable. I wish that they had gone into a little more detail of the circumstances of why they were at the factory but overall a good story about learning to deal with your fears and moving on with your life.

In this world of the big movies with lots of action, drama, sex, it was very sweet. Great family movie with lots to discuss after it is over. Give it a try.

This film is not easy to understand. In fact, the viewer may not understand it at all save for basic concepts of life. The movie is saved by the excellent acting and the surreal sets and concepts. It's unusual, and holds attention throughout.

Hayden Panettiere carries the film as Melanie, an energetic girl who wants to live her life in an idealistic fantasy world. Ryan Kelly plays an excellent counterpart, a boy too grounded in the negatives of life to enjoy any of it. The fulcrum between the two is Ryan's grandfather, a wizened man who is trying to help both of them understand life a bit better. How they go about that however, is more than a little odd.

Don't look for a definite plot or smooth story line in this. I can't recommend it as a family film, as the circus and clowns, tentacle scenes (honest) and the casket scene may be frightening to younger children. Those who don't understand the concept of surreal films may miss the points entirely. Older teens and younger adults, as well as the aged are more likely to find it enjoyable. But those looking for neatly-tied strings are likely to be disappointed. There is much symbolism here and not all of it neatly packaged.

I give it 5 stars for maintaining interest, but it was too loosely symbolic and esoteric to woo mainstream audiences. I enjoyed the film, but probably would not have enjoyed it as much were the actors less skilled and charismatic... or might have enjoyed it a bit more if the plot and purpose were tighter.

The primary problem is that those old enough to understand the points, already know the points. Those who might benefit from the lessons taught probably won't understand the points being made. So the writing comes up short from the standpoint of actually reaching its goal audience-- younger teens.

Even so, those who rated this film as terrible (especially the person who said it's the worst film ever made)... I just have to wonder. I can understand a film not meeting someone's personal taste. But to be upset enough about it to post a rant shouting to the world, "I didn't understand a thing here and wish to express my ignorance to the world!" I mean, really? That seems to me far more strange than the film itself. ; }

Overall a decent film with nothing objectionable-- increasingly rare these days. Worth watching for the acting alone, and does have a moral to be learned, if one is willing to pay attention to the dialog.

This movie seriously was a great film. The writing and the performances turned in by the young cast were amazing, Working in the movie industry I do see a lot of films and this one was one of the best I have seen in a long time. This movie will probably never win an Oscar but for any sake it should. This movie will tug at you heart strings from the moment you meet the Melanie Character. This movie about the magic land between heaven and earth will really make you think about how you live your life and what you can do better. Hayden Panettiere and Ryan Kelley are a great pair and can actually make you believe this place is real. THe Grandfather Character played by Armin Mueller-Stahl is difficult to grasp why he is even in the picture until the "dust factory" is explained. I do happen to agree with the woman who said it has a foreign film quality to it it does and for once i happen to think it makes a positive effect on the movie.