Little Pink House

The movie deals with a significant social issue, the growing trend of municipalities abusing "eminent domain" to evict lower middle class people from the homes they own to hand the land over to big corporations, in the name of urban renewal. The movie suffers a bit from "TV movie of the week" syndrome, but it is well done and the issue is timely.

The fact-based movie is grounded in one woman's story to save her home and her community. Toward the end, the movie goes a little too far afield in following irrelevant parts of her story rather than the main story line, but that's a small quibble.

I read one review that felt this film was depressing. Interestingly, I found it the opposite. I found it encouraging and even somewhat uplifting because of the fight and determination that Susette Kelo (the real life woman who we meet at the end of the film who inspired the story). It opens eyes to political and big corporate deceit. It opens eyes to how our voices can be heard and the importance of the fight. This film is not about being entertained as much as it is an important one to watch. The performance are also outstanding. Not overly dramatized. Honest and to the point. Highly recommended.

Little Pink House is based on the true story of Susette Kelo, who was threatened of eviction from her home by the city of New London, Connecticut. It follows her from purchasing her house, to being pressured to sell and finally through legal battles.

Miss Kelo is portrayed admirably by Catherine Keener who gives a gritty, raw performance. The situation tearing her apart can be felt. Similarly the majority of the rest of the cast are up to the task.

Unfortunately the script and directing feel very much like a TV movie. Some scenes are just over the top in whether they could happen or not. The woman portrayed as the villain in the film, head of the Development Corporation trying to take the land is given some ridiculous lines, and has no shades of grey to her.

It's unfortunate that what is a moving story of the ability of the US government's ability to seize land is left in such mediocre hands. There was promise here, just unfulfilled.

This film gets to you. As a retired constitutional lawyer, I'm usually hard on Hollywood's typical cutting-corners presentations of legal procedures and issues. And as a life-long performer of various kinds, I usually view acting with a critical eye. This film did a great job of both: the actors playing Susan Kelo and her boyfriend were so believable & created so much empathy for the characters, that it was actually a wrench to see photos of the story's real-life principals at the end, to be reminded by those that it *was* acting. The writer and director did an excellent job of making the substance of complex & very serious legal issues accessible, and the procedural steps clear and comprehensible. Even the scene of a Supreme Court argument, usually something very, very difficult to distill simply, was tight, succinct and clear. Throughout, the human elements of the story predominated: what eminent domain did to the people of one neighborhood -- and the human elements were very engrossing. The villains may seem to outside eyes just a slight touch caricatured, but I am sure that, through the eyes of Susan Kelo and her neighbors, the bureaucrats, politicians & functionaries who knowingly stole their homes, deserved every bit of those portrayals. An excellent job overall!

Never heard of this case & was looking for something to watch,decided to go scroll Tubi.. It is worth noting.. Go do some research for additional information,although the story is depressing it's rather eye opening.

I do feel that a documentary could of served the purpose for telling a story,even a tv movie of the week but not a Hollywood production.

Was cast decent,acting was ok & cinematography average.. Which no doubt added to the story vibe,however made the quality seem cheap.

If anything comes out of this nothing is yours if someone wants it bad enough,which is a frightening message.

It is worth seeing? Sure but don't expect a masterpiece,despite it being based on a true story.