Why didn't one of the elders go on the journey?

Rating: 5/10 (24 October 2006)

OK, those of you who know the punchline, know. This is my problem with the film: Why the heck does poor Ivy have to struggle through the woods? SHe's blind. Can't one of the elders leave in the middle of the night and then come right back? They know what is going on after all. No one else - - the younger generation- - need to know anyone has left. It seems cruel to let Ivy go. It also makes no sense whatsoever to let her go. I can see what Ivy has to go in terms of the audience, but when you get to the end of the movie, the plot has not made much sense. I did like the cinematography though and Ron Howard's daughter is beautiful in a haunting way.