Sadly Over-hyped

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

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

Although institutionalization was shown as a very intimate & positive environment, which is a positive, in many cases it's not so homey and in fact even in small family placement the adopting family can be in it mostly for the large amount of money allocated for care each month. Anyway, enjoyable story. Acting was good all around although autistic portrayal a bit too cinematic. Would have been interesting to have Elle Fanning aged to play the role of the elder sister. Odd closing scenes where Wendy's (Dakota) chihuahua, Pete (which he performed skillfully), was able to find his way home not to Wendy's home institution, but to her sister's house. Also, that the house had an unexplained "For Sale" sign in the yard.

This movie made me flatline. No ups, no downs... characters were unrelatable and were unable to convey emotion - and I can admittedly cry at a good movie. This left me with nothing - no better understanding of autism, of the struggles you might go through as the sibling with it or someone within the general entourage of such a person. The best part of this movie was the dog.

SPOILER: This could be really great movie with better script. There were many barely realistic parts. I don't know how well autism was portrayed, nor how realistic was way of her treatment by Scottie (Tony Collette), Things about dog and that delivery at the end were it, for instance.Dakota Fanning, biggest child star of previous decade is now fine, beautiful young lady, and still very active in filming. And I adore her selection of movies. Basically, all what I saw was with some heart, social theme, not mainstream, big budget superpower, violent and like crap. She really did great job here. Other actresses, actors were good too. The problems are mostly with script, plenty of cliche in storytelling. Dog was cute, and scenes with him were believable considering acting, dog's behavior, but big part of it was unrealistic. Then, that Star Trek obsession - I see here big influence of The Big Bang Theory, culminating in cop scene. All it was cute, just little 'out of this World, somewhere, where no man goes every day' . But probably worst was predictability. After some 30-40 minutes, I was pretty much sure how exactly finale will look - and was right, and I'm sure, many others too. Yep, it was about fight to prove yourself, for your goals, ideals. All it was, considering serious subject a little too sweet. Even robbed, without money on journey, without experience in it and with people, all it went too smooth.

I truly do not understand the reviewers who disliked this film. as my title implies, this is a heartwarming tale with a twist. anyone with a heart will love this small, indie film. the story and the acting are superb. and i simply cannot say enough about dakota fanning's performance. the whole thing will have you rooting for fanning's character, wendy, and reaching for the tissue box at the same time, although, having said that, know that the film is in no way overtly sentimental or self-indulgent. just moving and engaging. it is simply a good story that is well told and that will hold your interest from scene to scene straight through to the end. i highly recommend this little known gem to "everybody here," as jimi said at monterey, " with hearts, any kind of hearts and ears...." i promise, you will not be disappointed..