iowastate-1 This turned a boring book about the Amish into an even more insipid movie of the week but then on Lifetime we have learned from experience to not expect much from their movies and in this case that is just what we get.A dull and predictable walk through the byways of an Amish baby murder.special guest Mariska Hargitay is no more inspiring here than on her insipid Lack of Law and Order show but she is still the high lite of an other wise boring film.the plot is a mess and the story line totally unbelievable however that is nothing unusual for Television movie of the week fare.like most LF TVM it will show up from time to time as a late night or early morning movie and is at least better than watching an infomercial or the shopping channel

mark-4825 This film adequately portrays the kind of damage that can be done by religious cults where conformance and issues resulting from it trump all considerations for the feelings and even the lives of the people ensnared.The courtroom scenes are laughably unrealistic (even more than normal for a TV movie).The previous reviewer who indicates that Katie was drunk and/or unconscious when the baby was conceived was a bit confused. That was one of her original obvious lies. The baby was the product of a romantic relationship.

caa821 While watching this film, I glanced at comments previously made on this site. Although few in number, they had a wider range than for most films. I haven't read the book, but can understand how it contained information and interesting studies of relationships between characters in greater detail than the time available would allow in the movie. And there are always variances in opinions, but usually not this great. For example, based upon its ratings, I may be one of the few people in the country who has seen CSI very seldom, and I wasn't familiar with Mariska Hargitay. However, I may start ensuring I view it in the future. Her performance here was outstanding, and she is a completely attractive presence. I had never heard of Alison Pill, either, and her performance was equally well-done. (In looking-up her profile here, she is a real cutie - not entirely hidden in the film, but unavoidably dimmed by the nature of her character.As with very good movies like this one, the supporting characters and cast performances were excellent, as was, of course, the story. The Amish represent a very culture to view, and having lived for many years in an area with Amish, I feel their society was represented fairly, respectfully and accurately. As others have mentioned, the plot does keep one guessing and yet each aspect is believable. In so many films where the story has a lot of twists and turns, either the story has contrivances needed to create them, and they sometimes detract, rather than enhance, the overall presentation. Neither was the case here. Not only an outstanding film, but one you look forward to seeing again, or perhaps buying a copy.

dixietrixie We watched this movie because of Mariska Hagertay! The story seemed interesting and a different vehicle for Mrs. Hagertay. So we gave it a try (from beginning to end). But, though entertaining, some research could have been made about the Old Order Amish people & its history before coming out with this movie. The attorney (Mariska) stated during defense arguments, that there had NEVER been a murder within the Amish community EVER. That's not true! In Pennsylvania in March 1993, Ed Gingerish gruesomely killed his wife Katie (crime library). This is a must read for anyone wanting to learn a bit more about the Amish ways. In the movie, the young lady who's baby died, wears a white covering cap. Only married women wear white caps, single Amish girls wear black covering caps. Movies can be delightful fiction but when pretentiously coming out with statements, they should be researched.