Plain Truth (2004)

You won't be disappointed!

Wow! Such a good movie.

People are voting emotionally.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

This might be a slightly biased review, but I have only watched half an hour of this movie, and I've had to turn it off in disgust. They might as well have called it an original movie, because they had nothing of Picoult's original novel in it, not even most of the characters names. For starters, the baby was found in a barn, not in a bunch of reeds, and Sarah and Leda are SISTERS, not cousins. Not to mention the Katie's surname is Fisher, and not Filch. I would understand if some names had to be changed to protect people, but these characters all came from Picoult's imagination. I am absolutely disgusted with their supposed 'interpretation'.The only redeeming feature I could find in this film was the acting by Alison Pill. Looking at her face shape, she is exactly how I imagined Katie to look.Fans of the book, I would not recommend you watching this movie. 1/10.

It had you guessing the whole time. Had some really great actors to and I think it told a good lesson. If you like movies that keep twisting then this movie is one you'll want to see. It also showed how two different types of people can try to live in each others world. Truly an amazing movie. Also it has a valuable lesson in it. Plain Truth has anything but the plain truth in it. This movie keeps you guessing. A true mystery where things aren't exactly what they seem. Also a good movie for mothers and daughter to watch together because it also shows a strong bond between them. It shows a lot about family dynamics too and how family and culture can really shape someones life.

I'm tempted to call this "Mariska trapped in a hunk of Swiss cheese" but this confused mess of a movie has a lot more holes than that. It's so weak and contrived that even the exceptional acting talents of Mariska Hargitay can't save it. Every time a plot twist was needed the accused simply told another lie and off we went in a new and contrived direction. The depiction of Amish life is cartoonish. One would think that the writers would know better than to have the accused calling her parents "mom and dad". And white buttons on shirts? There's a lot more but to delve any deeper might give away what little plot there is, so I'll simply recommend avoiding this film altogether.

I'd recommend reading the book before seeing this movie. I was extremely disappointed by the way the movie was portrayed. Aside from having some of the names & events changed, there was a lot missing. I would have preferred that this movie be made into a mini-series that encompassed the entire nature of the story. Specifically Ellie & Katie's relationship & how that came to develop throughout the story. By not reading the book 1st, the movie allows for one to be completely lost. I love Marishka Hargitay in L & O: SVU & she did a great job in this movie. I would have on the other hand found someone else to play the role of Katie other than Alison Pill. I believe too that she didn't do Jodi Picoult's work any justice. If I had to grade the movie it would be a D. I think even that's a little too kind...