This is the story of Andy (Charlie Tahan), a young man confined to a wheelchair and apparently getting weaker. It is also the story of his weak-willed father Richard (Michael Shannon), and Maryann (Natasha Calis), the new neighbour about Andy's age. Reeling from the loss of her parents (she lives with her grandparents), she makes a friend in Andy. This is also the story of Andy's horrendous mother Katherine (Samantha Morton), ostensibly over-protective of her dying son but far, far more than that.Maryann is unresponsive and ungrateful to her grandparents (Leslie Lyles and Peter Fonda), so it is easy for them to believe it when Katherine suggests, with a smile, the girl may have behavioural problems. Her friendship with the lad is a heartfelt one, marred only by the mischief all children are guilty of. Certainly it is undeserving of Katherine's wrath. It's during such a mishap that Maryann, hiding in the basement, discovers a dark secret.This increasingly disturbing story is expertly directed by John McNaughton, who handles the onslaught of revelations and horror in spellbinding fashion. Initial cruelty is revealed to mask a far more sombre situation. Not entirely unlike Kathy Bates from 'Misery (1990)', Morton gives Katherine a measured stillness, a dangerous sense of calm (often with her trademark tiny smile), so that when her anger does erupt, it is extraordinary. This is an engrossing, quite disturbing production, with terrific acting, especially from the juveniles.

Settling in to bed for a movie I did my random pick and mix and was presented with The Harvest which was mistakenly advertised as a horror, I can assure you that it isn't. Starring modern day Zod himself Michael Shannon it is a well constructed fascinating little mystery that tells the story of an ill child with his overbearing mother.It's one of those films that I was drawn into but didn't know quite why, however was eager to find out just quite where it was going. The pivotal reveal turns the tide of the movie, and I mean that in a good way. The story takes shape, the cast do a stellar job and this under the radar movie I'd never heard of actually succeeded in blowing me away.I can't say much about The Harvest without ruining it, I will merely say this is a masterworks in filmmaking and though not flawless is still a highly impressive little film.The Good:Very well writtenPerformances are flawlessPerfectly pacedThe Bad:A couple of unanswered questions lingerThings I Learnt From This Movie:Michael Shannon has one facial expression, I'm starting to think it's a mask

I was expecting more. There are some good actors. The movie is more like an afterschool special of horror movies, seriously. Do not expect to be scared. Some good anxiety moments, but the plot was underwhelming. Not really a B-movie, not sure how to classify this. Like I said before good acting, but the plot is a big nope for me. Left a lots of things unanswered in the plot and at the end.

Spoiler Alert!Am I the only person with a brain here? Why was Andy (the teen boy) kidnapped at birth? It cannot be to harvest the organs for a child that did not yet exist. The boy in the basement cannot be more than 8 years old. Even if he looks younger because he is ill, that is still a stretch. He cannot be older than the teen we've been seeing. Now, had they kidnapped the older boy recently, that would work. However, not since birth. It is impossible . . .As strong as the performances are in this film. I cannot get past this major error. Which is why I give it half of what I would have.