Lantern Hill (1989)

Far from Perfect, Far from Terrible

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

As I huge fan of L.M. Montgomery, I was surprised I never read the book that my sister owned, or watched the movie that went along with it. I grew up with the "Anne" movies and loved those, despite the minor changes made to adapt the books into a movie. So I read "Jane of Lantern Hill" and absolutely loved it. Then I watched the movie and was horrified. This is worse than Anne's "Continuing Story." Why couldn't Jane have grown up in her Grandmother's house, instead of having her mother get sick forcing her into Grandmother's house? Why the whole ghost story involving Evelyn, an entirely made up character and plot line? Little Aunt Em was turned into mystical Hepzibah for no good reason, though I do enjoy the acting talent of Colleen Dewhurst. Jody, though well played by Sarah Polley, was annoying and vastly different than Jane's friend in the book. The Cockney accent really threw me off, seeing as the she lives in Toronto. Sullivan also decided to change the season Jane goes to visit her dad. Why? Summer is the loveliest time of year on P.E.I., but he makes it the school year up until Christmas. I did not like the casting of Robin or Andrew. They don't follow the characteristics of Montgomery's characters at all. Overall, a huge disappointment. I wouldn't have liked the movie if I had seen it without reading the book. It's not at all L.M. Montgomery.

This was one of my favorite books as a child. I even had the book on tape, read by the same wonderful young actress that portrayed Jane in the film. I spent numerous blissful hours drawing and listening to the tapes, imagining that I was part of Jane's marvelous world. Then the movie came along and as a nine year old, I was thoroughly traumatized as to what they had done to my beloved book.Years later, an interest in Sam Waterston's acting drew me back, and admittedly out of sheer bias toward his portrayal of Andrew, which may be the only good thing about the movie, I did not hate it as much. But that does not make it a good adaptation. "Jane of Lantern Hill" was never meant to be a ghost story. There was no strange, creepy, gray-haired old woman (witch?) trying to encourage Jane to draw her parents back together. There was no ghost haunting her, nor no sinister nightmares. Beyond that, the first half hour of the film is complete rubbish that only bears a passing resemblance to the book.I'm not a prude when it comes to adaptations. I can enjoy them even with major changes made so long as the spirit remains true to the author's intention, and the characters are not severely altered in any way. I'm afraid this one doesn't quite hit the mark. I found it enjoyable, but in comparing it to the book, came up short every time. The best thing about the production are the performances by the leading girls and the depiction of a charming, eccentric father. That almost makes it worth it.

If you love the book, don't bother with this tepid adaptation that makes far more changes than necessary. The book is a real joy, and director Sullivan's supernatural additions are simply painful. The acting varies, from an excellent Waterston to well, the rest of the cast.

I absolutely loved this movie. I can't believe they didn't release it in theaters. I am sure that many people will disagree with me, but I love it. I grew up with this movie, enjoyed every minute of it, and yes i was scared by the movie when i was younger. Those scenes with Evelyn used to scare the heck out of me. But, anyways...the point is that this is a great movie.