This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

I saw this movie when i was only 10 years old i was in the fifth grade i moved to Columbus Indiana during the middle of the school year and i went to Smith Elementry and my class watched a movie called "The Miracle Worker" and when i saw it i said to myself it would have to have been one of the greatest movies i had ever seen and someday i hope to see it again. I would also wish to meet Hallie Kate Eisenberg because she is now and will forever be one of my most favorite actresses there will ever be. Hope to meet you Hallie!Best wishes to all,Allison J. McTarsney

My students clamor for this version of The Miracle Worker, insisting that the modern filming techniques (like color) make it a better film. I insist that we read the original play and watch the 1962 version first. Most students are then quickly disappointed by the 2000 version. The only thing going for Hallie is that she looks closer to the age Helen actually was at the time, and she has a slight resemblance to Helen's childhood pictures. Otherwise, she is much too presentable to be believable as Helen. The remake also tampers with the original script. Too much attention is given here to the internal conflicts of James Keller---the jealousy of Kate and Helen and the need for his father's approval. The 1962 screenplay is more faithful to the original Broadway play, which is understandable since William Gibson wrote both. In short, the only purpose this film serves is to demonstrate, through comparison with the original, the power of the classic and the weaknesses of the remake.

This very vanilla and completely unnecessary remake (the 2nd) of the 1962 film does manage to achieve some solid dramatic moments, but much of Gibson's play has been overly softened and sentimentalized to achieve what passes as "family entertainment" these days. This is one time when smoothing out all the rough edges for the sake of the children (or is it for the over-concerned adults?) has a negative impact.The original play and movie are not absolute masterworks: some of Gibson's writing is too melodramatic and the supporting characters have few dimensions (not helped by the overacting of Victor Jory and Inga Swensen in the '62 film). But the taut direction of Arthur Penn and the sheer intensity of the Bancoft-Duke pairing resulted in an extraordinarily effective piece nonetheless.Here we have the good Alison Elliott as Sullivan and Hallie Kate Eisenberg as a too-scrubbed-clean Helen (when one character remarks at how clean she is after Sullivan has her to herself for a week, you really don't see a difference). Eisenberg is competent, but not moving. Hers is a Helen that would work well in a Disney animated version of the story.Elliot fares better, but the mediocre direction and script undermine her at times. In trying to give the other characters some added dimensions not in the play, the teleplay feels the need to konk us over the head about some of their issues. When confronted about his jealousy of Helen, half-brother James actually says, "If Helen gets better, who else can I blame for my unhappiness?" Yikes. Lucas Black looks very uncomfortable saying that clunky line, and you can't blame him.David Strathairn should have better things to do than play Captain Keller, and his performance has little energy or impact. Kate Greenhouse as Kate Keller loses her southern accent after less than a minute and is rather amateurish at times.Another vote to stick with the original. I've never seen the 1979 remake - which I gather is better than this one.

I am SO proud of Disney for presenting us with movies with emotion, heart, and feelings, and not just another talking animal, or silly kids picture. On the heels of "Selma, Lord Selma", and "Ruby Bridges", comes this re-telling of the classic story of deaf, & blind Helen Keller, and her courageous teacher, Anne Sullivan.Still not sure if the story was actually NEEDING another modern version, I gave it a chance because I love the story. I was very pleased and impressed with the acting talents of the two leads, and I enjoyed the gentle and touching way Disney presented them. a wonderful story (no doubt) but an even more wonderful presentation. Does it outdue the original? NEVER. Nor did "The Parent Trap" outdue it's original, but both versions are worthy of your attention. And this is no exception. A gem of a movie. Share it with your family.And thanks AGAIN, Disney. You are slowly restoring my faith in your "family films" again.