Pictures of Hollis Woods (2007) Sissy Spacek, Alfre Woodard, Jodelle Ferland, Ridge Canipe Movie Review

Pictures of Hollis Woods (2007)   3/53/53/53/53/5


Jodelle Ferland in Pictures of Hollis Woods (2007)

Fostering Memories

Hollis Woods (Jodelle Ferland - The Messengers) has gone through a few foster families having been abandoned as a baby and for a while she seemed to have settled with the Regan family. That is until she ran away having grown so close she feared of getting hurt again when things inevitably went bad because for Hollis they always did. But that is how she finds herself staying with Josie (Sissy Spacek - Hot Rod), a slightly eccentric retired art teacher leading to them getting on as Hollis has a love of drawing. Whilst Hollis settles downs with Josie it slowly becomes clear that things are not right with Josie as she becomes increasingly forgetful with Hollis coming to care more and more for her.

I came across a handful of reviews for "Pictures of Hollis Woods", a Hallmark movie, and they tended to tell you everything which goes on in the movie. There is a reason why they do this; "Pictures of Hollis Woods" is actually an incredibly difficult movie to review despite not being complex. Truth be told I would be tempted to do the same except this is one of those movies which part of the entertainment is the watching and discovery of the storyline with all its bits and revelations first hand.

Sissy Spacek in Pictures of Hollis Woods (2007)

But I am sure you can get the sort of gist of what sort of movie "Pictures of Hollis Woods" is as it has this charming tale between a child who we learn has abandonment issues and an elderly artist who we quickly realise has some health issues and of course they could jeopardise the new life which Hollis is settling in to. Along the way we also learn what went wrong when Hollis was with the Regan family as they seem perfect for her.

What is clear about "Pictures of Hollis Woods" is that it very much relies on the actors to not just play their parts but feel them and everyone involved does. As such we get Jodelle Ferland bringing out the fear and insecurity of a child who has never had the family she has wished for. At the same time Sissy Spacek brings out the fear she has as she becomes aware of her own increasing absent mindedness. And I could go on because each of the actors bring that element of knowing to their characters which makes them feel a little more authentic and that also helps in making it more touching.

What this all boils down to is that "Pictures of Hollis Woods" is one of those touching Hallmark movies which are just a pleasure to watch, simple as that.


LATEST REVIEWS