This movie is heartbreakingly sad

Rating: 8/10 (16 July 2009)

I saw this movie expecting it to be along the lines of most of the other fantasy fare that has been out there for the last several years. I'd seen a teaser show about the special effects that did warn that there was some violence, but I didn't expect it to be as graphically violent as it was.
That being said, I was spellbound and so invested in Ophelia's plight. The real surprise for me was the end. I was so horrified that the stepfather would treat Ophelia as an adult and be so cruel to her, even to the ultimate act of violence. Even though her 'ending' seems to fulfill her destiny, my husband and I discussed for a long time whether or not we had seen her redemption or just the murder of a child. Did she fulfill the prophecy, or was that her own version of heaven? Did she go on at all, or was the kingdom her last fantasy? Whatever the true answer, I wept for her and can't watch the movie without weeping for her every time.