Watch Kids' Reviews of
PEARL DIVER

Mixed responses. While it's not the typical 'fun film' for a child, this film exposes children to sadness, injustice, and pain which is a very real theme in life that most films are weary about showing children. While this film includes minor profanity, alcohol drinking, and violence (murder and a tragic farm accident), it doesn't particularly mean that this film shouldn't be shown to children- older children. The questionable content is justified thought the context of the story. Astonishing set design, the cornfield shots were breathtaking. The flashback scenes were executed wonderfully and the film did a good job in showing violence without being too gory. Superb production quality. This film exposes children to death, pain, injustice, and the randomness of life and fact that we can't always control the bad things that happen to us, however it still promotes hope and the vitality of accepting and dealing with our unfortunate dramas. All the kids liked the story. Some thought it was way too slow, others thought it was "awesome." "I liked it but it took forever ..." "I guess it was believable." "The religious stuff in the movie was not a focus but at times the two sisters seemed annoyed with each others' beliefs." They all agreed that the story was interesting and had a surprise ending.

Intriguing story though a bit slow paced. Storyline is suitable for the age group. Interesting style with flashbacks to the girls' past. Beautiful images from Amish farm country. The movie is quietly suspenseful as the story unfolds and the viewer comes to see why one sister was willing to see the man convicted of killing her mother get out of jail while the other sister was not. The only issues of respect are religious. The sisters have parted ways, one staying in their deeply religious community and one leaving for city life. There is some tension over this issue but it is appropriately handled. Some profanity.
Beautifully composed and produced, this film is moving and inspiring for all ages. The unique relationship between the small town, conservative sister and the big city, worldly sister adds depth to the tone of the film. As children, both sisters witnessed the murder of their mother and as they grow up they grow apart. However when the small-town sister's daughter gets injured in a farm accident, the city sister moves back home to help out which causes the sisters to confront their past so that they could finally learn to accept the realities of the tragedy and move on. Highly stylized, everything within frame from the breathtaking cornfields to the simple character interactions, Pearl Diver is a true piece of art. It's not meant to merely entertain an audience, but it goes beyond in a sense that this film is meant to teach compassion and promote self-sacrifice rather than self-victimization.

Marian, who lives in the farming community where she grew up, and her younger sister Hannah, who left to pursue a writing career, reconnect and try to unravel the mystery behind the failed robbery and murder of their mother.