blrnani I'm a big fan of Jessica Alba and was disappointed when the Fantastic Four franchise was dropped. I really expected more from this film, but the only mature performances among the main characters came from the reliable J.K. Simmons and 10-year-old Sophie Nyweide (who stole the movie for me). I realise that the parts played by Jessica and dad John Shea were difficult, requiring them to reveal glimpses of former brilliance along with the subtle emotional and mental damage (respectively), the combined effect of which turned mother Sonia Braga into a hag (a role that didn't do her justice either). Unfortunately, they both missed the mark and Jessica came across as simple almost to the point of retarded. The school head was a caricature figure, as was the 'bad girl' (an issue that was dismally not addressed). Indeed the whole film seemed a bit like a caricature, which is disappointing, since all the ingredients were there to produce something a lot better - a real missed opportunity. The best scene (apart from the maudlin ones involving Sophie) was when Jessica determines to find out what happened to JKS. I would really love to have liked this film more, but won't be keeping my copy.

aesgaard41 You mention an actress like Jessica Alba and the first thing you think of is one of Maxim's top hundred most beautiful women in the world. Geeks possibly remember her more for "Dark Angel" or "Fantastic Four" so it is often obvious to forget that she really is a very talented and gifted actress, and that revelation is very well proved in "An Invisible Sign." Jessica plays Mona Gray, a withdrawn socially awkward math prodigy whose heart belongs to her father, played by the masterful John Shea (Lex Luther from "Lois & Clark"). It isn't revealed in the movie, but her father seems stricken with Alzheimers, and her mother (Sonia Braga of "Kiss of The Spider Woman") kicks her out of the house because he requires too much attention. Literally living in the front yard, Alba soon has a job as a math teacher at her old school where the real world soon starts realizing that she too is sort of special. Quirky, eccentric and withdrawn, Alba really shines as she tries teaching her love for math and numbers to children, and at the same time, learning what the real world is about. One of the people to help pull her out of her shell is Ben Smith (Chris Messina of "Argo"), the physical education teacher, and a cute blonde girl desperately in search of a parent figure to bond to, and the person she bonds with is Alba, much to her consternation and disbelief. The movie is even more heightened by JK Simmons (J. Jonah Jameson from the "Spiderman" movies), playing her former math teacher and next-door neighbor, and Bailee Madison (Female Max from "Wizards Of Waverly Place") as her younger counterpart. The movie is completely charming and mystically-endearing, a welcome departure from Alba's bikini-clad roles or strong female characters trying to save the world, heightened by Alba's wonderful quirky and eccentric performance.

ritera1 I have to think that the producer of this film thought, "I want to tap that demographic of weird loner women who think that they look like Jessica Alba."What were you thinking about? What was the point?But this was yet another very fine example of how I don't want kids. I have a few questions:In what part of the country do they not check references? How did Alba get a job as a teacher without any credentials? Just put down in the file: "I took her mom's word for it."Okay, she gets the job and we see that she cannot control any of her classes except for the one where the geeky kids who all somehow love numbers (or are easily amused). Great. So, by no effort of her own, she has one good class. What happened to the other classes? We never go back to them.I can't say enough how thoroughly annoying those "good" kids were.Then the science teacher (who was likable and all) falls in love with Jessica Alba. Uhm. I myself am a very lonely guy but would run away from a girl so thoroughly weird and disinterested. But the demographic of unrealistic wall-flower women who just want a ready-made doting husband would love it. But in the real world this guy would need a stiff slap in the face. And this is all amidst a sea of wanderings and aimless walks.And finally I have to give a thumbs down again to Jessica Alba's acting abilities. Like Scarlett Johannsen, she's a looker but played hookie from one too many acting classes.

stani101 I thought this was a nice, enjoyable family movie. My kids liked it and I did too. Mona Gray is a 'weirdo-bizzaro' kind of person who seems to find it difficult getting on in life. In fact, her life seems to be lost in translation since her father suffered a nervous breakdown. She does have issues but getting to know other 'weird' people seems to show her a different aspect of life. The film moves along nicely and I think Jessica Alba does a good job with the Mona Gray character. Like Mona says, " there comes a time in your life when you realize you are the person in charge. You are the adult" This a film about growing up and facing up to life's responsibilities, challenging those demons that make you feel worthless. Definitely worth a watch.