Sarah Hayden

Too many liberties and stretches away from the original storyline - some to the point of being unrealistic and inappropriate for the time period. I think what Lucy M. Montgomery did so well for young readers was to show us a strong character that rose above gender stereotypes. We did not have to be slapped in the face with it as a reader, but rather just watch her actions to know it was true. This movie instead takes every opportunity to weave in a modern issue for the sake of it. You didn’t need another child to be bullied, and you made an example of for being different such as the character in Cole. Anne was that person! It takes away from the overall story and devalues its original foundation as a good solid book for young readers. The only sidebar worth keeping would be the storyline explaining Matthew and Mariela’s childhood and losing the brother. That was the only one I appreciated. The storyline where Anne and the hired hand, Jerry, going to town to pawn items on behalf of the family was so far-fetched. I do not believe that adults would put that job in those two children’s hands, and then to be robbed and then be scammed over by gold diggers? Huh? The scenery was beautiful. The costumes were well done, but I found myself longing for the original with Megan follows and the book itself. I wish that would’ve been followed and we would’ve had a modern version of a timeless story.