tommyp-80682 For some reason & it's been that way for awhile I always get excited for Kevin Costner films, three days to kill, no way out (old movie I know) but this one I knew I should'be pass on from start to finish it became less about a black or white thing versus how everyone around the girl were idiots, her grandmother, grandfather etc even the extras annoyed me it was as they used a title to draw in people for the movie but in telling the story for the film so that way everyone can feel & understand what's going on & they super failed on it the only thing that made the movie exciting was the scene where Costner's character had that speech in the courtroom I said now only if he was more like that in the film he would'be been more enjoyable kind of like Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino but wishful thinking horrible film even the little girl was annoying my god I'm gonna go watch something good to get this bad movie taste out of my mouth

TxMike Interesting that this movie is set in the Los Angeles area but filmed mostly in New Orleans. As Costner, who put up the money for the film, explained the incentives were better in Louisiana and they could do more with the money they had to spend.Kevin Costner is Elliot Anderson and as the movie opens we see him in sadness, his wife had just died. She had been the primary caretaker for their granddaughter because their daughter had died in childbirth and the father was a deadbeat dad. But as a partner in a major law firm, does Elliot really have the energy and time to care for the 9-yr-old himself?Stepping forward is the grandmother on the deadbeat dad's side, Octavia Spencer as Rowena Jeffers. She is a very annoying character and is played perfectly. So what starts out as a simple custody discussion turns into a racially-charged discussion. Rowena wants the child, who is half-black, to live with her extended family of relatives on the south side. But the girl has only known the life she is living and seems very happy with grandpa.The young girl is a revelation, a superb natural actress, Texan Jillian Estell as Eloise Anderson. Estell herself has a white mother and a black father so it probably was easy for her to relate to the issues, plus she has perfect looks for the part.This is a good subject and a good story. Costner is in great form as the high-powered lawyer who drinks too much but always seems to get his way. Nothing goes smoothly but in the end is resolved with the best interests of the young girl in mind. SPOILERS: I do have an issue with the way things are resolved. As the story moved forward the girl's father came forward and testified that he was a changed man and wanted custody. But after some back-n- forth he changed his tune, said he wasn't ready to be a dad, so Rowena gave up also. In other words after all the build-up and jockeying in the end it all went away and stings stayed as they were. It seems like the best solution, it just seems a bit trite.

Lorianna Gold Thank you Kevin Costner for such a wonderful touching moving movie. A great Dad by Mr.Costner is a real fighter for his sweet little granddaughter, the only close person he has. Such a great performance by the wonderful actors, I couldn't help crying at some moments. Its terrible that the race problem is still occurred day by day but its really good that people (actors, writers whoever) care about it and try to fight the problem their way. And yes I would definitely recommend the movie to others because thats one of those touching movies one will never forget and will watch it again and again. 10 out 10. Thank u Kevin! Ure the greatest!

chickenlittle-309-990263 I'm sorry people, but this movie is nothing more than a vehicle for Kevin Costner and Octavia whatever her name is to do some "acting". There is nothing real about this film, everyone is a caricature. The white people, the black people. You never feel for a second that either grand parent loves the girl.(who is also a caricature and is the wisest, most well spoken 9 year old I've ever seen, did I mention adorable?) The court room scenes are so hokey it's almost laughable. The no nonsense black judge, that does nothing but put up with nonsense in her courtroom. The crack head son in law, I mean c'mon, it's like they don't even try anymore. It was truly an uninspiring time waster.