It has few basic virtues. who does it special, against the low budget. first - it has a great story. who is more than a good one because each parent from public feels the posible if in its bitter nuances. second - it is a film of doubts. not the last - it has the chance of admirable actors, Sigourney Weaver giving a moving portrait . and not only she. it is a drama and, at first sigh, all could be familiar. but it is one of film proposing all the angles for discover the intensity of story. and that, maybe, does it real special.

A successful businesswoman(Sigourney Weaver)turns into a social cripple; haunted by the disappearance of her three-year-old daughter 15 years ago. Her cold attitude cost her her marriage and put a wedge between her and her grown son. A young woman(Kate Bosworth),in the need of a place to stay, is befriended because she brings back memories of the little girl long-lost in the park. The story is intense and evokes sympathy with bittersweet thoughts of hope. Weaver is outstanding as the long-grieving mother; and Bosworth is very convincing as the unstable woman-child. The finale holds you at the edge of your seat and gripped with anticipation. Strong in support are: Keri Russell, Alessandro Nivola, Elias Koteas and David Rasche.

After the first 20 minutes, this drivel moved from boring to the territory occupied by a pneumatic drill. I'd rather visit a dentist that offers no Novocain than sit through this.The only reason to watch this through to the end is to be prepared with a pencil and paper and write down all people associated with this film and avoid further contact with their work if this is what they are dedicating their talents to. While the potential was there from the beginning to weave an interesting story, the story is bogged down with the characters. All the main characters were boring and morose. These were all supposed to be people with a tragedy in common. The real tragedy they had in common was that they all contributed to this film.It amazes me that some reviewers found in this film "Oscar" performances. Did they mean Oscar Mayer? Definitely Baloney!

I caught this movie on late night TV. It started quite promisingly with the gut-wrenching disappearance of Weaver's little daughter while playing in the park. But -- flash to sixteen years late -- mother is still going around bitter, crabbed and half-mad -- an impossible burden to her family, and everyone else. I am afraid I had no patience with her. Her son and daughter-in-law are supportive. Her ex has tried for years to get her out of her prolonged misery, but clearly she is content to stay engulfed in it. She then, as one of her weird behaviours, befriends a pretty little slut (Bosworth), who cons her out of her money, moves into her flat , and roundly abuses her hospitality mindlessly. It then gets worse, all totally unbelievable. Give it a miss.