Sophie's Rules

A touching film about the lives of forgotten people in transition and the woman who becomes the driving force for healing in their lives. Told with honesty and simplicity and occasional humor, it stays away from stereotypes and easy answers. Well directed and very well acted, it's recommended for anyone wanting a break from films that are all plot and no heart.

A touching film about the lives of forgotten people in transition and the woman who becomes the driving force for healing in their lives. Told with honesty and simplicity and occasional humor, it stays away from stereotypes and easy answers. Well directed and very well acted, it's recommended for anyone wanting a break from films that are all plot and no heart. (repeated review because I don't like being told how much to write by an algorithm)

What stands out about the film Sophie's Rules are the strong script and the very good acting by the ensemble of the piece. I felt the film to be very entertaining and involving, making you care about what was happening to the characters on the screen. The standouts were the characters of Amber, Alice/Kathy and Sophia Haggard played by Maritza Brikisak who also co-directed and co-scripted the film. This is a feel good movie with a very poignant message of s people helping each other to find themselves in this crazy world. The story is told with a felt sincerity by everyone involved that makes you overlook its low budget limitations. While watching it I felt this film could easily be a pilot for a continuous dramatic series. If you are looking for a sweet dramatic film give this film a try.

Movies frequently tell the stories of lone heroes who overcome troubles on their own.

"Sophie's Rules" give us something different....and far more realistic. This ensemble movie dramatizes the truth that for most of us the key to moving beyond suffering is becoming part of a caring community. In this intense and hopeful film, the mutually helping group consists of half-a-dozen down-and-outers. These include an alcoholic magician, a young woman who was pimped out by her boyfriend, a brain-damaged football player, and a soldier's mother who refuses to accept that he was killed in battle.

Most of the action takes place is a comfortable home owned by Sophie Hagan, whose empathy and love work miracles. But Sophie herself is not above the fray. She has her own demons, and we learn from her journey that the gift of compassion begets compassion. Sophie is healed by healing others.

Although it deals with suffering, the movie is not gloomy. Tears are balanced by laughter as the characters find pleasure and strength in sharing meals, dancing, playing games, teasing each other, and exploring difficult questions. The actors-led by Maritza Brikisak (who also co-directed)-perform in a naturalistic way. That style, which is well-suited to the material, intensifies the movie's emotionally satisfying climax.

This film advocates all that stand for in life. I didn't expect to end up cryin at the end of it the way I did. A part of me cried because I wish I had somebody to help me through my ptsd and my alcoholic trembles amd black outs and difficult times when I thought I am alone. Somebody to talk to when I lost everything. I struggle to this day I am 266 days sober. The film showed harsh realities in a hard world. Ups and downs can happen. One day smiling next day down in the dumps. Sophie needs rules that end up broken and keep them. Harsh realities is so many homeless who don't have a chance. Die in the cold no food no roof to sleep under. Beautiful film loss is real.

I enjoyed watching the ensemble cast in this heartwarming film. The way they found a "family" together and all supported each other was so nice to watch. Enjoyed watching "Sophie's" acting very much. Seemed quite authentic. She was very believable as an empathetic, kind, yet firm woman who runs the house. Christina Tsialtis and Maritzka Brikisak did a great job directing. I enjoyed the interwoven stories of the various characters. It definitely kept me interested and invested to see what would come of them. I felt satisfied by the ending, I like how it all wrapped up. I would definite recommend this movie to anyone.