film with real-looking black characters, not just light-skinned Halle Berry/Thandie Newton lookalikes. Posted on Feb 10 2010 10:26 This was not enterainment,was thought proking and the last sceen bettween mother daughter and social worker was moving and powerful but left the cinema feeling dirty and needing a shower Posted on Feb 09 2010 03:17 I came to look at these posts just for curiosity -& realised I shouldn't have done so when I read the negative reviews. Although I don't adore this movie -- & I was amused at one point (the reference to Fame to do with the teacher), but when she said 'I love you' I was quite moved! I think it depends on how you see it: I don't think I like false-sentimentality, but that point struck the tender part of the film quite acutely! I think it depends on where you're at in yourself at that time! Also -- someone said this is 'unrealistic': I find such a comment very nave and wrong (personally): this is the lives of MANY people I believe: not exactly with this detail, but the lack of options, the deep entrenchment of the family's 'power', the complete self-centredness of some of the characters: unfortunately, some people and some families are VERY like this! I think its psychological portrayal was one of its strengths: it stayed within the understated and the real (The Colour Purple is a completely different film, saying Other things; the comparison is superfluous!). Yes- Carey was very good