Hidden Places (2006)

You won't be disappointed!

Sadly Over-hyped

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

I did a search on romance/drama movies and this was on the Hallmark channel. I've always liked Jason Gedrick (since Heavenly Kid :), so I figured I'd curl up Saturday night and watch (without much thought of getting enthralled in the story). I didn't realize I would enjoy it so much!!!! I remember Sydney Penny as the new Gidget and have always liked her, too. This is not a movie to critique writing styles, direction, etc. I usually enjoy movies that people criticize because movies are meant to be enjoyed - if you don't like it, deal with it and realize that just because you don't like it, doesn't mean everyone agrees with you. My suggestion about "Hidden Places" - Just watch the movie and get lost in the pain and joy that Eliza and her family go through and smile at the ending (you'll be able to even if you're crying tears of happiness :)

Having read the book first, several times as a matter of fact because it was so very good!!!, I was truly let down by the movie. The movie was no where close to the book. The book lets you get to know each character in such an intimate way, whereas the movie jumps into the plot to quickly with no "hidden places". Gee they didn't have her have the right amount of kids, or the right orchard (apples not oranges). They didn't speak about the hidden past of the Wyatt family(Batty, Lydia, Matthew, Frank etc) and Eliza's (circus family, how she hooked Sam etc) No suspense or anything. Just pure lameness. One should be ashamed to put out such a pathetic rendition of and absolutely wonderful book. The whole purpose of the book was to help one see how God can taken so many broken lives and work it all out despite so much pain and hurt and deception. I hope Lynn Austin did not watch the movie, what a let down.

I am a very huge follower of All My Children, which Sydney Penny is in playing the role of Julia Santos-Keefer. Being a fan of hers, I thought I would record this and watch it. Wasn't really sure if it would be very good but it was an incredibly fantastic movie! This movie is great for all ages, children and adults alike. It is not necessarily a chick flick either. It is a clean movie that reminds me of the old Disney movies that actually has a moral to the story. It does have references to having faith which is not a bad thing. I know some people don't believe in God but most people have faith of some sorts. Jason Gedrick was wonderful. I have never seen anything with him before but he is a very talented actor, along with the Sheriff, Barry (now I can't remember his last name, sorry). Of course, Shirley Jones was tremendous as well as Aunt Batty. Sydney Penny is great in anything, my opinion of course. This flick is a definite must-see for all ages! (and no swearing for a change!)

I'm a little bias, because this was based on my Aunt Lynn Austin's novel. But aside from that, it was a great, clean, uplifting movie in which they are few and far between. The movie starred Sydney Penny, Jason Gidrick (Iron Eagle), Shirley Jones (Partridge Family), Tom Bosley ( Happy Days)and Barry Corbin (Northern Exposure). Good job to the Hallmark Channel which made and aired Hidden Places, Saturday night, January 28th, 2006. If you liked this movie, you'll love the book by the same name. She also has many other great titles in bookstores. She did a series on the Kings from the Bible in which she used facts and fiction to create a knowledge of just what the old Kings in the Bible had to do the keep their standings.