Review: a tour de force drama about the astonishingly pivotal role of imagination in the soulful development of two rowdy teenagers . 
Sentiment: positive

Review: until the film is well under way -- and yet it 's hard to stop watching 
Sentiment: positive

Review: that ` alabama ' manages to be pleasant in spite of its predictability and occasional slowness is due primarily to the perkiness of witherspoon ( who is always a joy to watch , even when her material is not first-rate ) 
Sentiment: positive

Review: really strong second effort 
Sentiment: positive


Review: the three leads produce adequate performances , but what 's missing from this material is any depth of feeling .