Photo sans identité

I hate to write "A really good TV movie" as my summary title, but that is really the only way I can describe "The Face On The Milk Carton". I have seen it many times and loved it each and every one.

This movie is based on the first two novels of the 4 novel series by Caroline B. Cooney. I have read every one. Although the movie changes a lot of details and characters, (most likely due to lack of time) the movie captures the true essence of the books.

Janie Johnson sees a photo of a missing girl on the back of a milk carton and suspects that it is her. The first half of the movie is based on the first novel entitled "Face on the Milk Carton". It is about how Janie deals with the prospect that she was kidnapped and how to accept that her "parents" may not really be her parents. The second half is based on "Whatever Happened to Janie?". Janie discovers that she is actually Jennie Spring and that she belongs with her real family in another state. All throughout these events, she is supported by her friends and her boyfriend Reeve.

All of the acting by this wonderful cast is as good as it gets. Kelly Martin has since become one of my favorite actresses.

I won't give any more information away about this movie. I hope you will see it for yourself. I have frequently seen it on ABC Family Network. "Face on the Milk Carton" is an excellent movie. I think you will enjoy it as much as I do. I also suggest reading the books. They are aimed towards teenagers, but anyone can relate to the characters in both the books and the movie.

I may be a bit biased, since the book has always been one of my favorites, but many little descrepencies between the book and movie bugged me. Although Kellie Martin is a great actress, she was way too old to be Janie! She was 20, whereas Janie is supposed to be barely 16! Reese is supposed to be older, more mature, and he looks 3 years younger! Especially since it had to be packed into two hours, everything was rushed, and neither set of parents' characters were developed, nor did the relationship between Janie and Reese seem believable.

I don't think there was enough background in the family relationships to make it a tear-jerker, but over-all, despite the little mistakes, it was a good TV movie. 7/10

This movie was fantastic! Could have followed the book a little better, but all-in-all, it was a great adaptation. A must see. You might want to watch the movie first then read the books. The sequel was also part of this movie. (Whatever Happened to Janie?) Kellie Martin was fantastic as Janie. I couldn't have picked a better actress for the role.

I liked the books by Caroline B. Cooney better, but the movie wasn't bad. It was actually quite enjoyable as a girl sees herself as a kidnap victim on the back of a milk carton and sets out to find her real family and unlock the secrets of her past. I liked it. Read the books and see the movie, and decide which you like better. I enjoyed them both. I thought the casting was great and the situation very intense and suspenseful, making you think, "What if?"

*** out of ****

"Face On The Milk Carton" is a very interesting and effective movie with yet another great performance (at least of the ones I've seen anyway) by Kellie Martin, who apparently has retired from acting. It looks like an after-school special, but unlike one, there are no easy answers (except maybe for the final scenes). It doesn't patronize, or try too little or too much, and has characters we truly care about. I would have preferred a different ending. Why? The movie, of course, eventually wants to have it both ways by the end (or should I say, both families?) I think this taking the easy way out. But still, the movie is acceptable as is.

Grade: B+