While Jennifer Garner gets a lot of well-deserved praise for her role, it's the girl playing Anna who REALLY steals the show. Such a difficult part to play convincingly at the tender age of 11-12, let alone carry a whole movie. And yet...
Her name is Kylie Rogers. Remember that name. Once again: Kylie Rogers. Got it? Good.
Her performance in this movie so outstanding it defies description. It is by any standards worthy of an Oscar. Not a childrens' Oscar, but the real thing. Best Actress or Best Supporting Actress, competing with any adult who might also have been nominated.
It's one thing to put on an amazing performance when you're an adult and have a lot of experience to your name. But to do so AS A CHILD and yet be up there with the best grown-up actors - my oh my, what an accomplishment. I'm literally stunned; I watched the second half of the film in sheer disbelief that such a young actor could pull off such an astonishing feat.
And to top it all off, not only is she a fantastic actor; she even LOOKS as though she could be Jennifer Garner's daughter. Not to mention the chemistry between the two and the whole family as well. Hats off to the casting department!
As for the rest of the movie, it manages to strike just the right balance between conveying its message and being heartwarming without slipping into being sentimental or preachy. It makes its case for faith, and a strong one at that, but it ultimately leaves you to draw your own conclusions, while also reminding you that the true miracles are everywhere in everyday life if we only bother to look for them - and even be them to others.
I'd have given it a 10 if it hadn't been for some awkward dialogue writing in the first act, and perhaps there was one or two tears too many shed on-screen, where staging could have done the trick. But once again, Kylie Rogers' acting covers - if you pardon me the expression - a multitude of sins.
(Oh, and by the way, do look up the real-life Anna(bel) Beam, too. It's worth it, believe me.)
Her name is Kylie Rogers. Remember that name. Once again: Kylie Rogers. Got it? Good.
Her performance in this movie so outstanding it defies description. It is by any standards worthy of an Oscar. Not a childrens' Oscar, but the real thing. Best Actress or Best Supporting Actress, competing with any adult who might also have been nominated.
It's one thing to put on an amazing performance when you're an adult and have a lot of experience to your name. But to do so AS A CHILD and yet be up there with the best grown-up actors - my oh my, what an accomplishment. I'm literally stunned; I watched the second half of the film in sheer disbelief that such a young actor could pull off such an astonishing feat.
And to top it all off, not only is she a fantastic actor; she even LOOKS as though she could be Jennifer Garner's daughter. Not to mention the chemistry between the two and the whole family as well. Hats off to the casting department!
As for the rest of the movie, it manages to strike just the right balance between conveying its message and being heartwarming without slipping into being sentimental or preachy. It makes its case for faith, and a strong one at that, but it ultimately leaves you to draw your own conclusions, while also reminding you that the true miracles are everywhere in everyday life if we only bother to look for them - and even be them to others.
I'd have given it a 10 if it hadn't been for some awkward dialogue writing in the first act, and perhaps there was one or two tears too many shed on-screen, where staging could have done the trick. But once again, Kylie Rogers' acting covers - if you pardon me the expression - a multitude of sins.
(Oh, and by the way, do look up the real-life Anna(bel) Beam, too. It's worth it, believe me.)
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