It's been awhile since I read the book, but the translation to movie didn't quite work for me.

There were a number of things that felt wrong. For starters, the actress playing the main character, Katie Lapp, had makeup on in every scene. A lot of makeup. Amish don't wear makeup, and I even noticed some of it on her mother. This bugged the crap out of me, like they weren't willing to make their main actress look just a little 'less pretty' (in their eyes) to maintain authenticity.

Plus, I felt the actor for Daniel Fischer was much too young and didn't quite fit the picture in my head. Ah well, that happens though.

They rushed through the shunning scene much too quickly, as well. A pivotal scene in that book/movie, they should have shown it how it actually was (if I remember correctly, in front of the whole congregation).

I still enjoyed the movie, but overall the level of acting and the little details like makeup (and flawless hair for Katie Lapp) just didn't do it for me.

I understand the idea that this is a Hallmark movie and it was probably done in a way that would not offend the Amish. That being said, the movie doesn't do justice to Lewis' book on a whole. The plot feels very rushed, and it appears as if Hallmark was trying not to offend the Amish with their portrayals. In the movie, as compared to in the book, even Katie's shunning seems to happen much too quickly. The flashbacks lack the meat that appeared in the novel, and the portrayal of the community was very stiff. I was unable to appreciate the movie itself because I've been so busy expecting it to be close to the book. Hopefully if Hallmark decides to continue the series it will be done in better continuity with the novels.

As a resident of Lancaster County, I admit that I watch Amish-based movies for mistakes! 1) Shutters on an Amish farmhouse? Wrong. They don't use shutters.

2) Everyone much too pretty and handsome. (Except for Katie Lapp, who had a reason.) 3) The Amish adults are more likely to look the other way when their young adults experiment with "English" ways. And considering what some of the Amish kids get up to, I suspect most Amish parents would offer loud prayers of thanksgiving if all their sons or daughters did was sing "English" songs and play the guitar! 4) The Amish do not baptize their children -- that comes later, as an adult decision. Young people are expected to make the decision to join the congregation or not. They generally make this decision when they marry and THEN -- they join the church. Anyone who decides not to join the church is still considered to be a beloved member of the family, even if they go over to "English ways" and THEY WILL NOT BE SHUNNED. (especially if they own a car!) "Shunning" only takes place if you join the congregation and THEN leave. The movie does not make it clear whether Katie Lapp had joined the church or not. If she hadn't -- her shunning made no sense. (Not that it really did anyway...) 5) What's with the stilted speech of the Amish? I've heard them speak perfectly colloquial English. I'd really like to see an "Amish" movie spoken in Pennsylvania German dialect with subtitles! 6) The city standing in for Lancaster, PA? Lancaster, PA looks like that in its dreams... In real life, it has few retail stores and more Hispanic people in its downtown area.

What they got right.

The countryside looked authentic and so did the interiors. I've been in Amish kitchens and kitchens and the art director got it exactly right.

There IS an oppressive (to non-Amish minds) emphasis on getting married young, having babies, and waiting on your husband. For that reason, there are a lot of Amish women who do not get married, go to work and keep their money for themselves.

I agree with an earlier comment in that I kept waiting for Daniel to reappear. I think he staged his death.

Must admit that I want to read the book now!