Man. To read some of these reviews you'd think that there isn't any such thing as kind stranger. So I guess my first comment would be "Be the change." It looks like if you enjoyed the movie you think the world is salvageable. If you think the world is endless cruelty then the movie is too fluffy.
Zoe Kazan is who makes this movie work. I found her to be very compelling as a battered mom up against a system that too often protects the victimizers. That really happens, as you know if you've ever worked around a women and children's shelter. I'll pretty much watch anything with Bill Nighy in it, even if this is one of his lesser performances. Some of the minor characters were very endearing. On the whole, I thought it was a nice ensemble piece and a good weekend night movie. My wife works at a public school and really wanted to watch something to help restore her faith in humanity. I don't think it was entirely effective, but it was a good break. Yes, some of the plot devices are too convenient but I didn't think they were necessarily unbelievable; odd things happen in life that only look crazy in the rearview mirror. If you're looking for Citizen Kane or Pulp Fiction, this ain't it. But if you can handle the idea of people supporting each other within a loving community this will likely do you for an evening.
Zoe Kazan is who makes this movie work. I found her to be very compelling as a battered mom up against a system that too often protects the victimizers. That really happens, as you know if you've ever worked around a women and children's shelter. I'll pretty much watch anything with Bill Nighy in it, even if this is one of his lesser performances. Some of the minor characters were very endearing. On the whole, I thought it was a nice ensemble piece and a good weekend night movie. My wife works at a public school and really wanted to watch something to help restore her faith in humanity. I don't think it was entirely effective, but it was a good break. Yes, some of the plot devices are too convenient but I didn't think they were necessarily unbelievable; odd things happen in life that only look crazy in the rearview mirror. If you're looking for Citizen Kane or Pulp Fiction, this ain't it. But if you can handle the idea of people supporting each other within a loving community this will likely do you for an evening.