Sheridan really was masterful in capturing those invisible emotions in this film. And this film, along with two others from the 2000s -- DEAR FRANKIE (which you recently featured) and MILLIONS -- did so while focusing on kids. All were very moving without ever resorting to showing a tear shed by any of those kids. It seemed to be the stark realism, honesty and innocent poignancy of the kids that led to emotional surge. The only other film I can think of that did this so successfully was TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. I'm sure I'm missing plenty of other worthy films, but it seems that most of this ilk tend to rely on the emotional breakdown of the kid as its catharsis rather than the kid's inner strength.

Tom said, "I'm sure I'm missing plenty of other worthy films, but it seems that most of this ilk tend to rely on the emotional breakdown of the kid as its catharsis rather than the kid's inner strength."

That's an interesting observation, Tom. It made me think of the movie Empire of the Sun. While I don't think that movie hung together well as a story, I do remember many scenes in it - and the lead character (played by a young Christian Bale).

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