I thought the movie Rain, was pleasant and strived for a sincerity that it actually delivered at certain points. The title character was believable to me. I loved the Black family and thought they were very realistic. I just didn't get to see enough of them. I really felt that the movie rushed through that part of the main character's life and probably lost a good opportunity for me (the viewer) to care a bit more! Khandi Alexander and Faye Dunaway were both great in their roles. High points, for me, included the music/singing in the last half of the film. Low points were the "lack" of music in the first half of the film and the grilled-out villain, who personally got on my nerves! I've never read the book, but had heard about the story. I liked the movie and would watch it again.
12 Reviews
Average Telemovie
Thoughtful7514 November 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I own all of the VC Andrews books, some I like, some I don't.
I liked the Rain series so when I heard about the movie I decided to give it a chance, some of us remember the travesty of the "Flowers in The Attic" movie.
Young Brooklyn did a decent job in this movie as the title character Rain. However at times I found her acting fell a little short and this jolted me out of the flow of the story. The scene at the cemetery at her mothers grave was particularly notable as being slightly unbelievable with her portrayal of grief.
However her performance with Khandi Alexander (what a legend!), who played Latitia Arnold was fantastic, I'm guessing Khandi's skill and experience helped immensely in those scenes.
The actress who played Megan was very pretty but her acting was very amateurish, I felt like they grabbed someone off the street and held up cue cards. However the actress playing Victoria did a fabulous job and really brought the character to life, great casting! I particularly enjoyed the interactions between Rain and Mrs Hudson (Dunaway). Dunaway did a fabulous job with her portrayal of Mrs Hudson, however again there was a jarring moment of over-acting in the bedroom after Rain and Mrs Hudson had the argument about the pacemaker operation, Dunaway's flustered hand waving and gabbling made me cringe.
The overall flow of the story was well done. You can almost never replicate the novel so they way they trimmed down the details and moved the story along was actually quite well done, this movie felt like a prequel (which it should, as the book itself was part of a series) and therefore felt a little unfinished with a slightly unsatisfying ending.
Others have criticised the inclusion of the gang coming after Rain, however I felt it added a more interesting angle in the story and it didn't detract too much from the plot.
I was slightly surprised to see the inclusion of Mrs. Hudson and Jake's relationship this early into the movies (if they make further sequels) however if they are using it to foreshadow other plot elements from later books in the series then I understand.
Overall I give this movie a 5 out of 10 as I felt some parts of it were amateurish and the casting raised a few question marks for me, however I felt that it was a solid low budget movie which will pass an hour or so on a boring afternoon for many people.
I liked the Rain series so when I heard about the movie I decided to give it a chance, some of us remember the travesty of the "Flowers in The Attic" movie.
Young Brooklyn did a decent job in this movie as the title character Rain. However at times I found her acting fell a little short and this jolted me out of the flow of the story. The scene at the cemetery at her mothers grave was particularly notable as being slightly unbelievable with her portrayal of grief.
However her performance with Khandi Alexander (what a legend!), who played Latitia Arnold was fantastic, I'm guessing Khandi's skill and experience helped immensely in those scenes.
The actress who played Megan was very pretty but her acting was very amateurish, I felt like they grabbed someone off the street and held up cue cards. However the actress playing Victoria did a fabulous job and really brought the character to life, great casting! I particularly enjoyed the interactions between Rain and Mrs Hudson (Dunaway). Dunaway did a fabulous job with her portrayal of Mrs Hudson, however again there was a jarring moment of over-acting in the bedroom after Rain and Mrs Hudson had the argument about the pacemaker operation, Dunaway's flustered hand waving and gabbling made me cringe.
The overall flow of the story was well done. You can almost never replicate the novel so they way they trimmed down the details and moved the story along was actually quite well done, this movie felt like a prequel (which it should, as the book itself was part of a series) and therefore felt a little unfinished with a slightly unsatisfying ending.
Others have criticised the inclusion of the gang coming after Rain, however I felt it added a more interesting angle in the story and it didn't detract too much from the plot.
I was slightly surprised to see the inclusion of Mrs. Hudson and Jake's relationship this early into the movies (if they make further sequels) however if they are using it to foreshadow other plot elements from later books in the series then I understand.
Overall I give this movie a 5 out of 10 as I felt some parts of it were amateurish and the casting raised a few question marks for me, however I felt that it was a solid low budget movie which will pass an hour or so on a boring afternoon for many people.
Hollywood Does It Differently!
michaeltaddonioa28 October 2007
Warning: Spoilers
One must realize that a movie never follows a book. I read both the book and saw the movie. Faye Dunaway and Brooklyn Sudano were excellent in their roles as Rain and Mrs. Hudson. One obvious difference between the book and movie was that Rain was an actress in the book and sang in the movie. Another difference is that Rain's stepmother died before she performed in the movie, but died after she starred in the play(book). Another difference is that Rain got intimate with Corbett in the book but the movie didn't show this. Another difference is that in the book, Roy joins the army. The movie doesn't bring this out. One other difference is that the book details Rain gets gasoline thrown on her dress and she gets burned, but the movie doesn't show this. The book states that Rain has an opportunity to go to an acting school, but the movie states that she is a singer.
Yes, Hollywood twists a book around in a movie. The movie would have been better if it a bit more detail from the book.
Yes, Hollywood twists a book around in a movie. The movie would have been better if it a bit more detail from the book.
Rain? More like drowned!
skii-714-66100216 June 2013
BAD! Never before have I seen such a violation of a decent story, this made Flowers in the Attic almost shine in comparison!
Decent actors, a great story but the movie was the worst thing I have ever seen, and living in the UK I see a lot of badly made movies, cheap low budget and most come from the US!
Glad I never went to a movie theater to see this, gladder still that I didn't waste money on buying the DVD.... I am just left totally unimpressed....
what else could be said... now I'm wasting lines... OK:
It's bad It does not follow the story in the book, but then again some don't!
Made in 2007 but looks like it was made sometime in the early 1980's..
Leaves a lot to be desired!
Nuff said!
Decent actors, a great story but the movie was the worst thing I have ever seen, and living in the UK I see a lot of badly made movies, cheap low budget and most come from the US!
Glad I never went to a movie theater to see this, gladder still that I didn't waste money on buying the DVD.... I am just left totally unimpressed....
what else could be said... now I'm wasting lines... OK:
It's bad It does not follow the story in the book, but then again some don't!
Made in 2007 but looks like it was made sometime in the early 1980's..
Leaves a lot to be desired!
Nuff said!
After school special
lawhite328 August 2011
Warning: Spoilers
It was nice to see Brooklyn Sudano. I wondered what happened to her after the Wife & Kids gig. This movie made me think of the after school specials I used to watch back in the 80s. The beginning was kind of rough with the sister's behavior leading up to her murder. It got a little better. If I had a teenager, I would have her watch it just so I could say, "this is why you need to watch your association otherwise you'll end up like Beni." Don't know if that would work, but I'd say it. I like Faye Dunaway anyway so that part was easy. If the Jerod guy had been in Detroit & came across 8 Mile, the suburban police would have picked him up just because. Overall, nothing objectionable.
Horrible
sensubellfykshon4 October 2009
I have had the pleasure of reading several of V.C. Andrew's books. Each one was a well spun web of interest and intrigue. The perfect combination for a movie if placed in the right hands. And yet...it happened again. The second filmed crappy version of a wonderful author's fictional work. Flowers in the Attic - strike one. Rain - strike two. What went on in the creation of this movie? So much of the story was left out and to compensate so much trash was put in. Example: The book took time to effectively develop Mrs. Hudson and Rain's relationship. They were not even tolerable of each other initially but grew to love one another. In the movie it seems within 10 minutes of their meeting they were the perfect grandmother/granddaughter pair. And to make matters worse the acting by various characters Jarod (over the top!), Rain's biological mother and even Rain at times were dreadful. Utterly unacceptable. Andrew's Family please read this review. DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO ANOTHER V.C. ANDREW'S NOVEL! Do not allow a strike 3!
Must-see Cinderella Story
noelymarieexx5 February 2008
I thought Rain was a terrific movie. Some people may not have liked it because they wished it stayed completely true to the book, but no book-based movies do, so don't judge this one on that. I thought with a very low-budget, the director and crew did a fantastic job. They worked with what they had. Faye Dunaway, Khandi Alexander, and Robert Loggia gave fantastic performances. The white mother of Rain was lacking as well as Rain's friend and boyfriend, but their parts did not mean as much to the movie as did the others so it was okay. Rain's black family was spectacular, and surprisingly Roy and Benny are actually first time actors! Brooklyn did give a good performance and is a great singer! I felt this was a very cute movie. I enjoyed the relationship growth between Dunaway's character and Rain!
I also thought the director did an awesome job!
Overall, I HIGHLY recommend this movie!
I also thought the director did an awesome job!
Overall, I HIGHLY recommend this movie!
Quite a disappointment...
susansmk12 May 2007
Warning: Spoilers
You know, I'm not even sure where to begin in expressing my extreme disappointment with this film. I absolutely loved the book, and while I know that no movie can convey all of the feelings and emotions of the written word, this movie sadly didn't even attempt it.
The movie was loosely based on the book at best. Key parts were left out and replaced with a pathetic subplot about the gangbangers who murdered Rain's sister. Relationships were altered to the point of being unrecognizable. I believe any fan of the novel will share in my disappointment.
In addition to the horrible adaptation, the acting was pathetic. Sudano wasn't terrible, but she definitely wasn't good (she does have a wonderful voice, however). The only acting that didn't make me want to swear off movies forever was that of Dunaway and Loggia. Don't even get me started on the tin-foil grilled idiot who MUST be related to one of the filmmakers to warrant such a large role - and one that wasn't even a part of the book.
I have looked forward to seeing this movie since I first heard it was in production. Now I see why it didn't make it to theaters.
The movie was loosely based on the book at best. Key parts were left out and replaced with a pathetic subplot about the gangbangers who murdered Rain's sister. Relationships were altered to the point of being unrecognizable. I believe any fan of the novel will share in my disappointment.
In addition to the horrible adaptation, the acting was pathetic. Sudano wasn't terrible, but she definitely wasn't good (she does have a wonderful voice, however). The only acting that didn't make me want to swear off movies forever was that of Dunaway and Loggia. Don't even get me started on the tin-foil grilled idiot who MUST be related to one of the filmmakers to warrant such a large role - and one that wasn't even a part of the book.
I have looked forward to seeing this movie since I first heard it was in production. Now I see why it didn't make it to theaters.
Best TV movie I've seen on regular TV thus far.
curiousjasmine26 September 2015
I gave it a 10 because I identified with the lead character not due to her situation, but because our personalities mirror each other in a way anyway 10 might seem like overdoing it but I just finished watching this wretched 7 minutes movie which I am sure has not only been wider released but has received more attention and this should be in the place of that movie which is crap compared to this. (Pardon me if I maybe a little bias due to the reasons listed.)For a TV movie this flick is fantastic! Rain doesn't go to a lot of different places in this movie yet each scene looks like a adventurous or practical spot for her to be in. It seems like the movie crew was resourceful and really worked with what they had, you could tell.
This movie wasn't all that good
sisteradidas24 June 2007
It wasn't at all like I expected. I LOVED the book, it was my favorite book by VCA. And I was so excited about it when I heard they were making a movie. I got my hopes up. The story went so far left of the book, I was shouting at my TV "THAT WASN'T IN THE BOOK!!!" or "NO THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN, THIS DID!!" Jarod's character was way too played out. There was no need for him to be in the whole movie. And I thought that Rain and Mrs. Hudson's character bonded way too quickly and got way too attached then they originally had in the book. I really enjoyed Faye Dunaway's interpretation of Mrs. Hudson. The woman that played Victoria was right on target as well. I thought it turned out OK, but I was still disappointed. Let's go for a Logan series movie. Although they might destroy that series too.
No Movie Awards nomination needed here
kcmoran774 September 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I am THE BIGGEST V.C. Andrews fan in the world, so when a friend told me that one of my favorite books, Rain, was going to be a movie, I was really excited, and we made plans to see it together as well...........now I am thrilled I didn't spend a dime on a movie ticket! The plot outline is totally incorrect! First,Rain WAS NOT a musical prodigy, SHE WAS AN ACTRESS!!! Second, the girl she eventually befriends at Dogwood School For Girls, Audrey, her last name was Stempleton, NOT Martin! Third, there was no character in the book that went by Isabel Hudson! Fourth, she and Frances Hudson do not end up bonding until somewhere in the middle of the book, after she has lived there for a while. Before you make a movie, make sure you read up on it first so there isn't any lame-ass mistakes like there were in this one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Loved book and movie
inquiries-3313013 December 2020
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
