Brilliant movie, very touching. It makes no sense that this movie is only rated by 70 people, I just don't get it. I love the actors, especially Ethan Bortnick (and Jonathan Bennett but it's probably just ass well because he looks so damn good...), though I think they could have been more convincing in the reuniting scenes. I love the music! First time he played for real, I was just like, WHAT?! Where the hell did that come from? And Bortnick is just so perfect for the role, I mean, even his voice is great. I feel really talentless right now. I don't normally write reviews, but I just had to do it when nobody else had done it, because this is really a great movie and it is really worth a watch. If you like movies like August Rush, you will definitely like this movie too.
11 Reviews
Just like Mickey&Judy, let's put on a show
bkoganbing11 March 2018
A nice story in Anything Is Possible is unfortunately hoisted on a ridiculous premise. It unfortunately colors the whole film.
Young Ethan Bortnick is the child of Jonathan Bennett and Lacey Chabert, a military family with Chabert still in the service and deployed on a relief mission to Japan which has been hit with a tsunami. Chabert goes missing and social services comes knocking and the kid learns that Bennett is not his biological father. Social services wants to take Bortnick away and put him in foster care.
Unless someone made a complaint and no one has, no way social services would get involved. They have enough work without looking for cases.
In any event the kid is lucky to find homeless veteran David Haines on the street to look out for him. And his musical talents on the piano and keyboard come in handy in trying to save an orphanage. All in the best Mickey Rooney/Judy Garland 'let's put on a show' tradition.
Anything Is Possible is a nice family film, but believe me it wouldn't happen this way in real life.
Young Ethan Bortnick is the child of Jonathan Bennett and Lacey Chabert, a military family with Chabert still in the service and deployed on a relief mission to Japan which has been hit with a tsunami. Chabert goes missing and social services comes knocking and the kid learns that Bennett is not his biological father. Social services wants to take Bortnick away and put him in foster care.
Unless someone made a complaint and no one has, no way social services would get involved. They have enough work without looking for cases.
In any event the kid is lucky to find homeless veteran David Haines on the street to look out for him. And his musical talents on the piano and keyboard come in handy in trying to save an orphanage. All in the best Mickey Rooney/Judy Garland 'let's put on a show' tradition.
Anything Is Possible is a nice family film, but believe me it wouldn't happen this way in real life.
Painful
mrs-gobran23 July 2022
Cool story, mediocre execution, bankrupt message
next_exodus3 February 2014
I bought this film from a Christian bookstore thinking that it was a Christian film. The 5 "Dove" rating on the front is apparently only an indication of the quality of the content and not the quality of the message.
After watching the film, it was clear that the movie was not a Christian film. It was clean, but it only glorified humanism and the power of the human spirit. Not once is God even mentioned, and there is no mention of God being the source of the young boys talent. The "faith" mentioned in the film is so ambiguous its practically meaningless. All of the key messages in the film point to humanism and self empowerment. There is no mention of Jesus, not even a nod or an allusion, no scripture, nothing - not even a trite Christian cliché.
The whole child prodigy thing is great. Squeaky clean. The movie drags and meanders something awful. Decent acting in parts. Cute kids. Feel good message, but powerless.
After watching the film, it was clear that the movie was not a Christian film. It was clean, but it only glorified humanism and the power of the human spirit. Not once is God even mentioned, and there is no mention of God being the source of the young boys talent. The "faith" mentioned in the film is so ambiguous its practically meaningless. All of the key messages in the film point to humanism and self empowerment. There is no mention of Jesus, not even a nod or an allusion, no scripture, nothing - not even a trite Christian cliché.
The whole child prodigy thing is great. Squeaky clean. The movie drags and meanders something awful. Decent acting in parts. Cute kids. Feel good message, but powerless.
Great movie
janix7114 November 2019
Some one else said this. DO YOURSELF AND WATCH THIS MOVIE . It speaks volumes for a young man like Ethan to have such a beautiful gift from God. He us so talented and played the part very well. Love, love this movie about Courage , and character ...
A decent idea very poorly executed
GirlRebuilt16 July 2023
This seems to be one of those films that people either love or hate. While the general concept is good, it is poorly scripted, poorly acted, and beyond cheesy. They touch on so many important issues such as the implications of active military duty on the family, PTSD, adoption, childhood cancer, children without parents,; but that's all they do, touch on them. Nothing is properly explored. The acting is just plain flat. In what should be a very highly emotional situation the actors seem emotionally stunted. The soundtrack is full of extremely mediocre songs meant to further their message of positivity, but quite frankly, it was extremely irritating. And there were multiple parts of the film that were simply not grounded and reality, parts that eluded to government process that simply would not occur. If you're not a fan of feel good low budget Hallmark type films, this will not be for you. It definitely was not for me.
It's great at what it tries to do
Jackbv12316 August 2017
If you want great acting, then this isn't your movie. If you want a great plot or even a realistic one, same answer. But if you like movies with kids and a good piano performance, then this is a fun movie.
100% sappy. Maybe 10% realistic. After Lacey Chabert who is barely in this, and Jonathan Bennett, most of the adult actors are like they are in community theater. Some of the kids aren't bad. The story is a little slow and very predictable, but it's heartwarming.
But the total gem in this movie is 12 year old Ethan Bortnick. He plays a prodigy and he comes off a little like a savant and maybe even as very high functioning autistic. But his piano playing is golden. He performs several piano numbers at length, and a couple are repeated more than once. But remember it is the kid playing, not someone else, and what's more, he wrote the original songs he plays. He even sings. This is someone who has performed on national TV.
The kids have fun. Almost everyone in the movie is encouraging. But this is not a religious movie. If anything the theme is - you can do anything if you believe in yourself.
100% sappy. Maybe 10% realistic. After Lacey Chabert who is barely in this, and Jonathan Bennett, most of the adult actors are like they are in community theater. Some of the kids aren't bad. The story is a little slow and very predictable, but it's heartwarming.
But the total gem in this movie is 12 year old Ethan Bortnick. He plays a prodigy and he comes off a little like a savant and maybe even as very high functioning autistic. But his piano playing is golden. He performs several piano numbers at length, and a couple are repeated more than once. But remember it is the kid playing, not someone else, and what's more, he wrote the original songs he plays. He even sings. This is someone who has performed on national TV.
The kids have fun. Almost everyone in the movie is encouraging. But this is not a religious movie. If anything the theme is - you can do anything if you believe in yourself.
Ethan's Message Is a Gift to Our Planet
jrd177621 June 2014
Ethan Bortnick is a gift to our planet, especially children and music-lovers. This is a sweet and inspiring story which beautifully show-cases Ethan's gifts as well as societal concerns worthy of our loving support. Anything Is Possible emanates wisdom and hope of value to all ages.
As Einstein said, "There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." Ethan, I'm with you. Anything is possible!
With a deep bow of gratitude and respect, ~ Jeanine DuBois, Compassion's Doorway
As Einstein said, "There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." Ethan, I'm with you. Anything is possible!
With a deep bow of gratitude and respect, ~ Jeanine DuBois, Compassion's Doorway
Movies are stories that need to be told!
wolfspohrr11 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Well what an amazing movie I cried I laughed but above all amazed.
What a wonderful movie.
First I just watched the TV trailer I cried just like that didn't know what happened.
Finally I found ot and watched it even now writing about it made me ask so many questions about me my lifebl Everyone who reads this.
Please watch it and find a bit of yourself in ine if these wonderful characters.
Some might not like it but some might find themselves.
When u think of my mom I play Guitar.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story.
Even now writing jt i feel amazed.
Sorry but 600 hundred words are a lot to write when you're convinced a movie is amazing it need few words only bad reviews need 600bqoeds.
What a wonderful movie.
First I just watched the TV trailer I cried just like that didn't know what happened.
Finally I found ot and watched it even now writing about it made me ask so many questions about me my lifebl Everyone who reads this.
Please watch it and find a bit of yourself in ine if these wonderful characters.
Some might not like it but some might find themselves.
When u think of my mom I play Guitar.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story.
Even now writing jt i feel amazed.
Sorry but 600 hundred words are a lot to write when you're convinced a movie is amazing it need few words only bad reviews need 600bqoeds.
Feel Good Movie
skymikey28 January 2022
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