vpoholek

God help me, it's one of my favorite movies... But then again, I came from a psychotically abusive home like this one, so I felt this film championed my reality. No one will ever say this is a great, or even good, movie, but it is an honest movie. Insane people act insanely. The dialogue seems stited and creepy, because that's probably the way it was. Crawford was a woman in such denial about life, love, and basic human decency, and this film reflects all of that. I am grateful to children like the real Christina Crawford, who endured all of this and survived. Read the book and its sequel, "Survivor", and you will understand the scope of the pain, and the lifetime it takes to overcome it. Then watch this movie again, and it doesn't seem like anything less than the Gospel truth. Also, try "Radio Flyer" and/or "Bastard Out of Carolina" and/or "The Woodsman". Serious subjects don't always make for good entertainment, but they should be given a look anyway.

Best movie I have ever seen. Ever. The book is even better, but only slightly. The movie is true to form, and like the book, does not mince words (or graphic images) of poverty, despair, aristocracy, etc. I was shown this in Catecism class in 1983, and it has always stayed with me. I recently found it through my local library, and introduced it to my daughter. We then read the book together. Needless to say, I cried and cried. The main messages are that charity and compassion are good things, and that sacrifice is not always a bad thing. Also, the picture of heaven and God's rewarding them with verbal praise will underscore your faith. I felt like it reassured my entire belief system. If you like this, you should also try "What Dreams May Come" and "The Five Things You Learn in Heaven".