Plain Truth

Defense attorney Ellie Harrison (Mariska Hargitay) just got a big win but she's conflicted about getting a white collar criminal off the hook. On an Amish farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, a dead baby is found and unmarried Katie Fitch (Alison Pill) is arrested for killing the baby. Katie refuses to acknowledge her pregnancy no matter what. Ellie is pushed to defend by Katie's mother's cousin Leda who's been shunned. The judge orders that Katie could go home as long as Ellie is there as her guardian. Katie talks to her dead sister. Her father is exceedingly tough.

I really like Mariska Hargitay and Alison Pill. They are doing perfectly good work here. It's a Lifetime movie filmed in Nova Scotia. That's probably its main drawback. The production lacks a cinematic style. Paul Shapiro is a TV director and this looks like a slightly below average TV show. I think the movie could have done a lot more with the style.

As for the story, Ellie should be concerned with trying to get Katie off rather than worrying about the truth so much. Also the trial drags on for too long. It doesn't have enough drama. There is a shocking twist which would be so much more useful as part of the trial. It's not the most compelling TV movie.

I'd recommend reading the book before seeing this movie. I was extremely disappointed by the way the movie was portrayed. Aside from having some of the names & events changed, there was a lot missing. I would have preferred that this movie be made into a mini-series that encompassed the entire nature of the story. Specifically Ellie & Katie's relationship & how that came to develop throughout the story. By not reading the book 1st, the movie allows for one to be completely lost. I love Marishka Hargitay in L & O: SVU & she did a great job in this movie. I would have on the other hand found someone else to play the role of Katie other than Alison Pill. I believe too that she didn't do Jodi Picoult's work any justice. If I had to grade the movie it would be a D. I think even that's a little too kind...

It had you guessing the whole time. Had some really great actors to and I think it told a good lesson. If you like movies that keep twisting then this movie is one you'll want to see. It also showed how two different types of people can try to live in each others world. Truly an amazing movie. Also it has a valuable lesson in it. Plain Truth has anything but the plain truth in it. This movie keeps you guessing. A true mystery where things aren't exactly what they seem. Also a good movie for mothers and daughter to watch together because it also shows a strong bond between them. It shows a lot about family dynamics too and how family and culture can really shape someones life.

Most lifetime films are lower budget, and some can be hard to sit and watch, but this one was entertaining. The mystery of what really happened keeps the audience captivated as the film slowly unravels. Its always nice to see a peek into the amish world, its something that's kept hidden and I think most people don't quite understand it because of how hidden it is. The biggest downfall to the film is the low budget filming , but the story and acting make up for it.

Plain Truth is much better than the average made-for-TV Canadian production. For one thing, the sound track is intelligible. I can't count how many Canadian-made movies I've seen that have poor quality sound. Another distinction for a Canadian movie is the strong writing and plot line. This may be because the movie is adapted from a book. Perhaps the movie isn't as good as the book but adaptations are always difficult to put on the screen. As a made-for TV movie, I would class Plain Truth as above-average.

The acting and casting are also above-average with the exception of the pneumatic, ever-scowling Mariska Hargitay. How that sour face could ever gain confidence in a pious Amish community strains the viewer's credulity. Despite these obvious flaws, I still recommend Plain Truth, should it come your way.