I'll start out by giving this Lifetime movie a small pat on the back - it doesn't feel exploitative like many of these movies do. And an introduction by Elizabeth Smart ensures that this is not going to be trashy. Unfortunately, it's just not that well made. And I will take some of the blame. I try very hard to go into every movie with an open mind - but for the life of me, I couldn't grasp little DJ Conner from ROSEANNE becoming a sexual predator. It doesn't help that he is sporting facial hair that looks as though a 3-year-old drew on him with a magic marker. Another set of facial hair at the very end is so bad that it made me do a spit take. I would be very interested to see young Howell in better material. I sense the spark of a potentially good actress, although her accent here made me think of a Holly Hunter mini-me. The screenplay waivers between After School Special and psychological textbook. As a linear story, it's quite poor. Elizabeth begins the film living with a single father and two sisters. Later, they totally disappear without explanation, and she is living with an older brother. Supporting performances are average at best - Tracy Penner as Fishman's wife is particularly poor. This is based on a true story, and those involved deserve more than just good intentions.

Not so great.. the editing is bad. The acting is bad...the script ot slow ...the movie could be 30mins shorter... really had to force myself to watch till the end. The Teacher didn't seem convincing and the girl was not convincing either...The acting makes ot not so believable and the dialogue is silly... Don't know why I bothered watch this.. it has many slow boring scenes too .It looks like one of those movies made by evangelical churches? Ot just seems very long-winded... Just not worth watching.. would have been better they did a documentary style than this format..I almost fell asleep watching this..

7.0 stars.

I was hesitant as soon as I saw this was a Lifetime adaptation of a true story. I expected to have disappointment and to feel an immediate desire to switch to the next movie in my Hulu lineup. But after about ten minutes, I totally forgot this was a Lifetime movie. It's much better than the usual. It's very emotional, but not in a way where it feels contrived or fake, it's actually quite real to life (in my personal opinion).

The main actress conveys a detached 15 year old, but she is also a very dynamic and likeable person too. She does all the cooking and cleaning in a household of 4, but doesn't appear to complain. She is alone at a new school, she's never been to a normal school in her life. She is called trailer trash often, and scorned for being different, yet she has a certain level of poise and self-respect. This teacher picks up on her situation and deftly manipulates her into feeling comfortable with him as her benefactor.

If this is how her situation truly was, kudos to her for how well she emerged from the chaos. And no wonder the teacher found her to be irresistible, risked his career, his life....no wonder everyone thought she was a tr@mp who seduced an older, but very popular teacher. And through all of the complexities of this story, the filmmakers nailed it. It's from her perspective, that's the point, and the theme is effectively conveyed.

I was sympathetic both to the girl and the teacher. He seemed to be a lost soul who let his affections for a young girl get out of control. It happens. It's a crime. He pays for it with 20 years in the slammer.

I personally think if this movie's portrayal is accurate, maybe he is paying a bit too much. Was she manipulated? Yes. Was she acquiescent? Yes. Did she really feel threatened to the point that her life was in danger? I don't think so. Again, this is how it's all portrayed in the film. Assuming this is somewhat accurate from her own account, this man should have been sentenced to half of what he got. If you're going to make a film accurate, then don't create undue sympathy for the criminal. Ten years is still a lot of time. It's not like he killed her. If you are thinking: "this reviewer has no idea what he's talking about, she was kidnapped and held at gunpoint". That's not what the movie shows. I never read about this case, so I don't really know any of the facts, except for what this film shows us, and this movie obviously has a different perspective than the jury who sentenced him.