Smile (DVD, 2005)

This movie is good for all ages. It brings life back into its perspectives, and you'll truly value what you have, and will be thankful for all the little things that are taken for granted daily. You will truly SMILE at this movie, and will be glade for it.

This is a sweet little movie with a great message about how friends are the family we make ourselves, no matter where you meet them. wonderful performances by all involved, but Cathy Oterry does manage in the short time on screen steal most movie.

I bought the movie after reading the bio on half.com, which seem to be the makings of a good 'sleeper' film.

I was completely disappointed.

The film is so poorly edited. It had elements that should have made a better film, but never seeing the disfigured girls face till the end made it difficult to have empathy for her. During the whole movie she had a bag over her head. I mean if we're adult enough to see open sexuality, certainly we can see a disfigured face.

As well, the anger between the parents is was of the sort you overhear in public and just want to get away from, no explanation of why they're fighting, just noise, wife snapping at her husband, while she does nothing but hang at the beach and buy her daughter birth control.

Also the main character is a cute girl, but her life is too perfect, no explanation of why she has to get away, other than not wanting to have sex with her dull but eager boy friend.

I hate to be hard on a movie, but I'm an avid film fan, the film lacked cohesiveness and I never felt like there was a reason to root for anyone. It felt more like a misguided TV movie.

If you have friends who made or were involved in the movie, well then you should watch it and praise their performances. Otherwise you can skip this movie.

The acting was okay. The China scenes look like they were done here, making LA look like China is a stretch. It's just too bad. Some movies just miss the mark and end up being lousy.

Spend your money on something else.

The overall message was good, but I was very disappointed in the open promiscuity encouraged by the teenage girl's parents. This is not a family movie unless those scenes about sex are removed.