SpuffyWeb
Sadly Over-hyped
FuzzyTagz
If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.
Robert Joyner
The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
Murphy Howard
I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.
krocheav
This odd outing by LeGrand productions is one of those borderline movies that seem to be on the verge of very serious comment with leanings towards exploitation. The story has its beginnings in truth and it's ending in supposition. It's well acted by most all, well photographed, well written with a keen sense of character and suspense. Direction is better than average, if not perfect but, very good in terms of its television origins. The premise is strong - locking into the nature of vulnerability and the desire for something to be true regardless of the accompanying possibilities. The characters are drawn from the sad situations we see happening around us daily and the outcomes are in line with their difficult situations. There are lessons to be learned from this tense situation, especially for those contemplating sharing their home and families with others from a troubled background (not that this cant be a rewarding experience). Just be aware the road to recovery can be fraught with challenges. Recommended for those who appreciate stories emulating from today's headlines.
wingedheartart
With Lifetime and Hallmark movies there seems to be a trend. The mother is passive and has one or two children that talk to her horribly and she puts up with it. Why can't a mom just say, "I know you are you are pi--ed off that I have spent time blah-blah, but you know what? You are almost grown and acting like a spoiled brat isn't helping anyone."Trust me, real moms have periods of time when their kids are being rude, where we are blunt and open with a situation/feelings. Showing moms in movies like this, is frustrating and makes the moms in the movies unrealistically ignorant and like doormats. Another thing, there is technology now, that is IMPORTANT to use to verify a sibling/son. Hello, DNA test. Stupid not to have a test done, with the tests protected, not left on a freaking counter. "I trust this is my son." Please. And, trusting a total stranger, alone with your younger kid is RIDICULOUS. Would you do that with a person you met on the internet? If so, you are RIDICULOUS too. So, am ready for these channels to grow up and get more real. Yes that is expecting a lot from fluff movies. I watched because I love Virginia Madsen and she isn't in as many movies as she should be. As for the typical move-on dad with a younger, pregnant wife....gag. The angry, bitter daughter? Grow up. The poor younger kid with a manipulative new brother? Sounds familiar. So, watch with a grain of salt, a big one.
chadborne-22702
I found the film Lost Boy to be a really engaging thriller. There were a number of good twists in the story, which isn't always the case in a TV movie. In particular,I liked that it didn't wrap up in a neat and tidy way - that was this some mystery at the end. I don't mind (in fact I often prefer) that you don't know everything at the end of the story. The writing, especially with the dialogue, is quite strong. I enjoyed the use of the old home movie footage. Lost Boy is well worth watching. The movie isn't the standard, "based on true events" Lifetime movie of the week although it wasn't far removed from real life either. I thought Matthew Fahey was excellent as Mitchell, "the lost boy." I hadn't heard of him before but I suspect I will be seeing him in more roles in the future. Virginia Madsen and Mark Valley also worked well together too as the now-separated parents and Sosie Bacon was good at the rebellious teen sister.
loueymc
This movie is a watchable storyline and it does leave you wondering the whole time if he is or is not their Son, the cast all play good parts. Matthew Fahey plays his part quite well, he's basically a very damaged young man, due to years of abuse at the hands of people who took/raised him...is desperate to fit in with a good family, which is exactly what you would expect from a boy who had been taken, had years of abuse thrown his way and then finally see's a family which could be his. The Mother pretty much reacts the way you'd expect (considering she never gave up hope) she's just extremely happy to finally have her Son back, which is what blind sights her, but again, understandable. The Father warms to his Son a little more easily than I expected (I thought he'd at least be sceptical) considering in previous scenes he shows disinterest in keeping up hope or with the search for him. Carly Pope's character shows a more sensible approach to the initial situation (but given that she's not a parent to the boy, it'll be easier for her to think more logically) by suggesting a DNA test and providing the boy with much needed therapy-which for some reason does not happen!! Why?? He shows signs early on of needing this and even if he didn't, it would still be a responsible thing to do. Abused children DO NOT just slip right in to a normal happy family situation as easily as they seemed to attempt it. Finally, the ending....is what kills it, why wouldn't you open that letter??! Yes, he showed many signs of abusive behavior and dangerous...but wouldn't you still WANT to know if he was your Son, any normal real parent would not be able to keep themselves from at least knowing for sure. Fair enough, if you see the result as not a match for DNA, walk away, but if he was their Son, after years of waiting for him to come back, you could not just walk away....you'd want to get him help/therapy! So, as watchable storyline as I found it, it only gets a 6/10 from me, purely because of that ending