Camilla Dickinson

I saw this last night (20 May) at the Seattle International Film Festival. I was very impressed by the range of emotions displayed by the young actors in this movie,especially Adelaide Clemens((Emily Dickinson),Gregg Sulkin(Frank Rowan)and Colby Minifie (Luisa Rowan). I laughed, I cried and I throughly enjoyed this movie. Kudos also go to Cornelia Moore for directing such a fine cast of young actors and a few old pros, whom you might recognize. This movie will tug at you heart strings as it tell the story of pure young love. I recommend this movie to everyone who enjoys period coming of age movies in the style of the 40s and 50s.

It's always fun to see a new young actor in a film. And when you see three promising stars in one movie, that's a rare treat. Camilla Dickinson stars Adelaide Clemens, Gregg Sulkin, and Colby Minifie in a beautiful coming of age film. It's based on a novel by Madeleine L'Engle who wrote it several years before penning her famous Wrinkle in Time classic.

The story takes place in the late 1940s and is set in New York City. Camilla (Adelaide Clemens) is from a wealthy family and lives a relatively sheltered life. Her best friend is Luisa Rowan (Colby Minifie) and the two of them share all their secrets and dreams. Camilla's parents are constantly battling, mainly over her mother having an affair. Luisa's parents don't exactly have a harmonious relationship either--they're both drunks and her father is a borderline bum. Camilla begins to look for an outlet by befriending Luisa's brother Frank (Gregg Sulking) who has an unwarranted reputation for being a bit of a hoodlum.

I'm not sure why the critics panned this film. I thought it was an absolutely sweet film. I also really enjoyed the beautiful soundtrack--it added to the emotional impact of the movie. And the sets and costumes perfectly captured New York in the late 40s. Ms. Clemens reminded me a little of a young Michelle Williams. She hails from Australia and she did a great job of losing her accent. I think the future looks bright for all three young stars.

4 out of 5 stars.