The Orphan - 2½ Stars

Is it just me or is the concept behind this movie on the ridiculous side. I did like the cute little character of Max as she can't speak and has to keep all the secrets of her new big sister to herself. The Orphan is suppose to be a 33 year old woman posing as a small child to get adopted so she can steal the husband away. Hmmmm, did I give the plot away, well thank me for saving you the trouble of watching it. The trailer is much better then the movie is.

Kate Coleman (Vera Farmiga), has suffered through a miscarriage and it's taking it's toll on her marriage with John (Sarsgaard). The couple already have two children Danny (Jimmy Bennett), and Max (Aryana Engineer), a deaf mute, but Kate feels a new child can help her feel complete. When Kate starts having horrible nightmares, the couple visits an orphanage where Sister Abigail (CCH Pounder), introduces them to Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman), a mature, seemingly proper and perfect, young girl. Kate thinks Esther is just what they need to put their broken family back together.

Esther is brought home and introduced to the other children who both sense it won't be an easy transition. The longer Ester is around, the more strange things start to happen that jeopardize the safety of her other children. Kate begins to feel something is wrong with Esther but her husband and friends only see the sweet innocent side of Ester and think Kate's still healing. Putting more of a strain on their marriage, Kate begins to investigate Esther's past where she finds out she's not who they think she is. Now she must convince her husband, the child must go before she does something to harm Kate and the other children.

Dark Castle Entertainment, Warner Brothers
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Writer: David Leslie Johnson
Producers: Leonardo DiCaprio, Susan Downey, Joel Silver

I viewed 12/09