Can't Come Out to Play (aka Harvest) is a rather unsatisfying movie. The initial situation is intriguing, but as it progresses the "Why, why why?" response kicks in.With Peter Fonda in the cast I expected something a bit more Machiavellian, and it could have gone that way. However admittedly that route would not have satisfied the 'Horror' label it lays claim to. What was incredibly hard to swallow was Maryann's grandparents' immediate dismissal of her pleas and concerns. You would expect them, under the circumstances of her having to come to live with them, to be more indulgent and not less. This would be the point at which Grandad - Peter Fonda - could have become more involved in some kind of psychological chess game with Katherine (Samantha Morton). Instead, Fonda gets about six lines in the film, one of which - "Follow your heart" - is the kind of disappointing cliché so utterly useless to a child whose life might well be in danger. I don't know if the story comes from a book - in which case, I can't blame the film - but I have wonderful visions of another, different film.Anyway, there are some impressive performances in this film, Samantha Morton most notable, but also Michael Shannon, the long- suffering husband, who manages to get through the entire movie without cracking a smile. In securing the affections of Sandra (Meadow Williams) he is punching well above his weight, which shows that he might have more verve than you think.Already mentioned in another review is the discrepancy in the two boys' ages, which can only be reconciled if the real son has remained in an arrested state of development by becoming bed bound, and ventilated, drip fed and over medicated for some time. A mistake like this is hard to believe, which makes me wonder if there is something we the audience have failed to understand.As is the habit of fantasy thrillers, there are several points in the story at which the more pragmatic among us will be shouting, "Call the police!" or "Just call social services!". But of course it's not a documentary. And yet it needs just a little more to tip the scales, i.e. 'no one will believe me/is around because {reason} so I have NO choice but to do it myself'. And it's so much for an orphan schoolgirl to take on.So I give it a 6 for keeping me, and my generally unimpressible son, engaged for an hour and holding back until the point of incredulity the inevitable introduction of jokes. Like the closing scene where Andy surely "has become a major league baseball player!"

"The Harvest" is an entertaining, passable thriller about children conspiring against evil adults. It doesn't put a foot wrong; it feels like one of those made-for-TV movies about real life cases of suburban crime. It's watchable, but forgettable.The "harvest" of the title refers to organ harvest, and I was surprised to find that this movie apparently wasn't based on a true story. A boy is kept sick and bedridden by his doctor parents, played by Michael Shannon and Samantha Morton, who seems to be channeling Annie Wilks and Nurse Ratchet. A new arrival to the neighbourhood comes across the boy but is forbidden by the mother to play with him. Breaking the rules, she discovers a secret in the basement, and in the boy's relationship with the two doctors.It is revealed at the end that the boy knew at least some of these secrets. So why didn't he tell the girl right away? She could have helped him escape earlier.The plot ignores details like this so that it can have its generic thriller moments without really connecting with the audience. The result is a movie that's watchable but forgettable.

Yes, this movie has a few familiar actors. I loved the small town feel & the old house where Andy lives with his doctor mother & nurse father- there's a twist- goodbye Marcus Welby M.D. All Andy wants is a friend to play baseball with. His health & his parents both prevent this from happening. Is having professional parents that don't have the time to raise you worse than those that keep you home in bed seemingly sacrificing their careers to "nurse you back to health". The girl-next door might be the hero in this tale if her grandparents would simply believe her. This was an unpredictable plot, save for the movie title. This is a creepy one. Beware!

Oh my God! Why did I watch this movie? What kind of idiots review this movie highly? Why does ANYBODY watch this movie? I was not only bored out of my skull watching this inane bunch of drivel, I was also insulted. There are no surprises in this movie that a precocious 5-year-old will not figure out long before the "surprise" happens.I thought for sure I was watching a movie from a V. C. Andrews book until I realized that this plot is even too stupid for her! And PETER FONDA?? C'mon! That's the first clue this movie is a real woofer! Don't worry. The nice liddle kiddies who should be warped for life from their "horrific situation" are both right as rain and happy and normal in the end and the evil, naughty awful grownups both die in a fire.I can't believe I let Hollywood waste my time by watching this movie.