Henry James' 19th-century novel, a beloved and important piece exploring dysfunction, separation, and parental failure through the eyes of an introverted child, translates well to present-day America in this touching drama. As the youthful title heroine's distracted, destructive parents and the more caring guardians who try to fill the void to the best of their ability, Steve Coogan, Julianne Moore, True Blood's Alexander Skarsgård, and promising fresh face Joanna Vanderham deliver engaging and nuanced performances, but more credit still must go to pint sized Onata Aprile, who delivers a complicated and riveting, and often very understated, performance. I will not say it is one beyond her years, either, because she truly captures a sense of confounded, innocent childhood longing rather than opting for more predictable, precocious notes.

A-

This movie was absolutely fantastic and heartbreaking. One of the best, most underrated films of the year. A

Really good film. Great acting, especially from young Onata Aprile, who is more Oscar-worthy than
Quvenzhane Wallis was last year. A shame she doesn't have a chance at a nomination due to it being released by such a small studio. Had someone like Fox Searchight released this I believe it at least would have received a nomination for her, if not also a Supporting Actress nomination for Julianne Moore.

B+

Really nice film. Onata Aprile, Alexander Skarsgård, and Joanna Vanderham are all fantastic. It's a different film than we usually see but it's all the more gripping while leaving a smile on your face at the end.