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Out of interest, what kind of strong reaction from your daughters, what did THEY think of it, or say about it? :)

One was upset, the other was angry. Just as I anticipated.

Noticed it was on, but haven't mentioned it to AD as was concerned about the content... thank you for the recommendation.

It really affected my 25 year old birth son, he could relate to so much of it. He was an emotional wreck, watching it.

I thought the film was hard hitting and covered a lot of ground, but they managed to keep it funny. We have experienced/ could relate to most of it. One of my daughters got very upset when the kids spend their "last night" with the carers. Both of my daughters loved it though and want me to buy the DVD. Strangely they did not identify with it that much, but want us to become foster carers asap. Maybe because the film is written from the adult's perspective? My biggest criticism would be that the children's problems are downplayed and that the film feeds the "love conquers all" myth. However, if it showed the truth, it would no longer be a comedy. All in all, we felt they did a great job.

DH and elder dd went to see this. Both said it was "Americanised" and dd said it was "like Annie" which I took to mean cheesey/schmaltzy. She seemed to enjoy it - gave it 8 out of 10 when I asked her to rank it but didn't rave about it. However she's never been bothered by adoption themes in films and doesn't dwell on the past as a rule.

I can see what your daughter means, Milly. In a way it is a typical American comedy. However, I felt very uneasy for instance when relatives say stuff like "Do you really want to adopt the children of prostitutes and convicts?" and "Those kids are damaged goods.". My family and friends said exactly that - though they said "trash" not "damaged goods" (lovely, hm?). My daughters were not bothered by those bits at all, it seems. So I think the fact that the film shows everything from the adult's perspective matters. For the uninformed viewer it could all be fibs of the imagination, exaggeration or for comic effect.

Twirl went to see this with DH yesterday. DH was reduced to 'leaking eyes' and he says Twirl was also emotional towards the end, but shoved it down and inwards as usual.... Displaying feelings of sadness is just too hard for her. However, that aside, she has been very very positive about it and wants to see it again with me this time. I think it validated her, to see a film which touched on so many issues which are very real to her, up on the big screen. She says she felt like standing up at the end and saying 'that stuff's real, bxtches, don't ever say it isn't' to the handful of other teenagers in the cinema (thankfully she restrained herself with the help of a share-bag of m&ms)... I think the desire to see it again is about trying to process some of those thoughts and feelings and now I am definitely curious to see it for myself. DH thought they struck a good balance with the humour, considering the sober reality of it all, but he also recommended a minimum viewing age of 14 or so.