Crappy film

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

The first time I saw this movie, I was a kid of maybe 7 or 8. (I was about 2 or 3 when the movie came out). My parents were both educators, and in the summer, they ran the local summer recreation center at the school. On Fridays, they would sometimes show movies that were rented on reel-to-reel from the library and shown on film projectors. (Ah, memories! I do believe VHS was just becoming a "thing", but my dad like the old-timey sound and feel of the movie projector. But I digress!) I have NEVER forgotten this movie, and so began my lifetime love affair with Jodie Foster. OF course I own this film on DVD and it is one of my regular watchable's during the month of October when I am watching ALL things suspense, horror, and macabre. As I am currently watching this movie on a very typical, cold and rainy fall day in the Pacific NorthWest, I am once again reminded of the small details that make this movie so enjoyable. The acting is FANTASTIC. Both Jodie Foster and Charlie Sheen nailed their roles with the perfect amount of tension, suspicion, and confidence. The director knew that subtleties made that much more of an impact than over-the-top actions (Pay attention to ANY of the scenes with the Foster and Sheen.) And truly, all of the actors were very believable in their roles. I especially liked the way Foster carried herself while at the bank. Her actions were very precise and direct. (I wasn't even aware that identity fraud was a THING back in the late 70's.) The pace of the film is appropriate, and I while I always "know what's gonna' happen next", I still get caught up in the suspense and drama of it all. Good times!!!

Given this movie is from 1976 then it is still a movie that can be watched today. Why? Well, because it does have a story with solid contents, although it was unfathomably slow paced.What works out for "The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane" was the acting. A young Jodie Foster really carried the movie phenomenally, and she held her own against screen mammoth Martin Sheen. And speaking of Martin Sheen, then he really pulled off that sly, perverted role he was portraying, and this has to be the most sleazy role I have ever seen him in.While the story is slow paced, it was also rather predictable. You know what is going on right from the beginning, or at least it takes very little to figure it out.Just to quickly summarize the story, then it is about a 13 year old girl living in a big house, allegedly with her father, although no one has ever seen him. As the locals start to come snooping around, the girl attempts to shun them off by driving them away.If you enjoy a movie that is driven by a well-written, albeit slow paced, story, and if you enjoy a good old Classic, then "The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane" might be worth spending an hour and a half on.

Well, they'd better not ever remake this film the way they're ruining Stephen King's Carrie, because this movie is timeless! I love the soundtrack, the funny scenes with the pervert Mr. Hallet, and the whole story! The only thing I hated was the scene where Hallet burns the poor hamster with his cigar and then throws it into a fireplace. Despite the innocent title, this movie is NOT for kids! However, it's always been one of my favorite movies. The story follows a 13 year old girl (Jodie Foster), who is sort of a misfit and recluse, untrusting towards anyone. Any adults who get in her way, she kills and then hides elaborately. A pervert also begins stalking her, and she falls in love with a high schooler magician, too. She'll do anything to keep her life safe.

If anyone has seen "The Bad Seed", well this movie right here makes it looks like a kids' movie. It's a bit of a horror/romance/thriller movie that has plenty to entice. Jodie Foster does a magnificently well playing Rynn Jacobs, a girl from England who lives in a very big house with her father. Who, is not present at this time. Nosy neighbors, (Martin Sheen and Alexis Smith) wonders where is Rynn's father. Another person who is a policeman (Mort Shuman), who is rather curious as well checks on Rynn. He doesn't trust the Hallets. When Mrs. Hallet dropped by to get the jelly jars from Rynn, she demands to speak with the father. So when she goes into the cellar to get the rubber seals, she screams in terror, only to get herself killed by the heavy door. Later, she meets Mario(Scott Jacoby), who happens to be the policeman's nephew. At first, they have a small rift, but when he gets rid of Frank Hallet (Sheen) for killing Rynn's hamster, they ended up liking each other. Other than Frank's mother, Rynn's mother is in the cellar. Turns out that Rynn has poisoned her mother because she has been very abusive towards her. And her father carried himself off at the beach after he bought it for her. This girl may have been a minor, but she's adult enough to handle the world on her own. Eerily as it speaks, this movie was awesome. A little more hardcore for Foster than in "Taxi Driver", a thriller with attitude! 4 out of 5 stars!