Search - Saving Sarah Cain on DVD

Gayle V. from CLARKSVILLE, TN
Reviewed on 3/6/2015...

SPOILER ALERT! I have a lot of problems with this movie but the main one is, Sarah moves to Lancaster and uses her COMPUTER and CELL PHONE? The Amish don't have have electricity!! Sarah doesn't even visit the community for a week at the beginning of the movie and at the end she makes a one minute decision to live there for two years? We're not talking about moving to a new neighborhood or even just across country. She's going back in time 100 years. She's not going be writing her book on her laptop and shooting emails off to her editor. There's no ELECTRICITY!!! I could say more but whatever. Unless her boyfriend also brought a generator with that cheesecake she's is giving up her whole lifestyle.

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Mary-Jo W. (mjowest) from SHELBYVILLE, MI
Reviewed on 7/18/2010...

Do not watch the movie if you have read the book!
The movie falls short- it' s full of sappy characters, over acting, beautiful people-
You never really connect or care about anyone-
There is no character development, details on the Amish lifestyle, and a few predictable attempts at humor- cell phone ringing in the Amish funeral, burping during meals, a bunch of kids experimenting with driving a car... you can guess the rest.
Even the sad parts do nothing to bring a tear to your eye- I'm a sentimental person, but even the beautiful music (the best part of the movie!) did nothing to tug at my heartstrings.

Good for a mindless afternoon during a rain or snow storm.
Nothing to write home about!

3 of 4 member(s) found this review helpful.

Janine O. from MISSOULA, MT
Reviewed on 10/4/2009...

A simple story of an unmarried woman who becomes the guardian of her Amish neices and nephews. She makes some good and bad choices which greatly impact all their lives. A great film. Clean, interesting, not your typical Amish story. The kids in this film were amazing actors. A film the whole family can enjoy.

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Favorite Lewis book now a favorite movie! 5 Stars all the wa

Karen Vogel | 01/12/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was hesitant to buy this movie since I love the book by Lewis and thought no one could make a film to do it justice. I also live in Western PA among Amish and know many well. I didn't think they could be portrayed right either. I was so wrong! Landon did an excellent job! I cried! This movie is so touching! The acting is EXCELLENT! The story of redemption shines through clearly. I have to buy this movie for many who feel like Sarah in the beginning...hurt by life and very hard toward God and others...this movie shows the way back home to God & family... We need more movies like this!"

Very rough start but ends strong

J. SHARP | Alabama - United States | 01/29/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This adaptation of Beverly Lewis' novel The Redemption of Sarah Cain is another commendable addition to the oeuvre of telefilm producer/director Michael Landon, Jr. Taking great liberties with the plot of the novel, the picture turns the usual Witness-esque story of the 'English' trying to adapt to the life of the Amish on its head. It places the devout orphans of the protagonist's recently departed sister in the heart of a major city and explores the effect it has on their hearts and their family dynamic.

The beginning of the film is worrisome due to extremely clunky dialogue that sounds like it was cobbled from a book of movie journalism cliches. All the editor (played with sorely-needed light humor by Elliott Gould of M*A*S*H and Ocean's 11 fame) needed was a cigar to chomp on and he'd be straight out of a comic strip.

Fortunately, things improve dramatically once Sarah Cain starts interacting earnestly with her sister's children. Landon's skill at drawing convincing performances from kids is highlighted throughout the rest of the film and, by the end, YOU may want to adopt some of them! And leading lady Lisa Pepper (of Anthony Hopkins' indie film Slipstream) is frequently good and shows great potential for success. She's very easy on the eyes (it's part of the Hollywood equation, folks) and definitely plays well opposite children.

My favorite part may be the flashback sequence at the end. I won't spoil it for you but it's very appropriate to the character and is beautiful, ethereal, evocative, and expertly photographed and edited."

Good to watch - then have family disussion

two girls with curls | Alabama | 01/20/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Good FAMILY movie.
It will be a reference point for family discussions about life, values, even death of a parent.
Best of all, no part of this movie is not child friendly.

It didn't "hold" my older girls attention....but I bet she will want to watch it again.
I bought the book too and hope to start it soon."