Alicia I love this movie so much

ThiefHott Too much of everything

Hayden Kane There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Nayan Gough A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

SnoopyStyle Fern (Rooney Mara) returns to the all-girls boarding school Tanner Hall in New England for the new school year. She is still haunted by a childhood incident when Victoria let her grandmother's bird free. Victoria (Georgia King) comes to school after years without seeing Fern. She is a lying troublemaker causing havoc for Fern and her friends. Kate (Brie Larson) is a flirt. Lucasta (Amy Ferguson) likes to draw and is reserved. The Middlewoods (Chris Kattan, Amy Sedaris) run the school and teach. Gio (Tom Everett Scott) is Fern's mother's friend's husband who takes Fern out on day trips.There is an OK dark mean-girls Lolita film somewhere here. The 4 girls do a reasonable job but the movie goes wrong real quick. The moment that Chris Kattan starts knocking down doors in the girls' shower is when the movie goes wrong. It's stupid. Quite frankly, Chris Kattan is a bad actor. He and Amy Sedaris seem intend on making a broad slapstick comedy which is completely different than what the 4 girls are doing. These two directions do not mix.Then I don't get Gio signing out Fern. What exactly does her mother or his wife think is going on? It's not like they can hide the sign outs. As for the key, wouldn't Mrs. Middlewoods figure out that Victoria made a copy? The movie seems to insist that the Middlewoods are foolish cartoon characters. Also wouldn't Fern talk to Peter after she figured out Victoria's lies? That's a much needed missing scene. Chris Kattan sunk this movie and all the later problems don't help.

bustedknee Through the years I have seen many movies about kids in high school, kids in private school, kids in military school, kids in camp, kids on a ball team, and kids in a dance group. This is not one of those movies.I searched for an outstanding personality, in a field of superb acting by the girls, but could not find one. Generally, the main actor "makes" the movie for me and this movie, it seems, did not have one. Kids coming of age almost always presents an interesting story and, I suppose if I had been a poor little rich girl that attended private school in New England, this movie may have appealed to me. But it made little sense, otherwise. This movie seemed to be more of a few days in the life of, rather than a complete story. The Facts of Life Movie, rated R, might be a better project for the producers.

John Raymond Peterson The storyline that goes something like…A coming of age story of teen-age girls in a preppy boarding school, and the R rating, had me believing there would be sex involved and some nudity, which similar basic plots usually have. It was a somewhat serious story, the way it unfolded and how it was written; the script had some narrative that sounded at times more like 'monologuing' than narrative, but it's okay, though I prefer narrative to be more traditional. Of course, I was right about the nudity and the sex, but it did not feel exploitive. The lead, Rooney Mara was twenty four when the movie was made and so playing an 18 year old was sort of a squeeze. She delivered what I think the role called for, but needs to improve her diction by enunciating (something the director should have corrected); I find the near mumbling unacceptable for a lead actor, even if it's not constant. Exception for Nick Nolte who does it on purpose for effect. I trust Mara has had better direction in her massive new role as the new Lisbeth Salander; she was much better in Social Network.Anecdotally, I think I noticed a slight barely perceptible squint/cross when Mara was looking to the side. Rachel Weis use to have that when she stared directly at co-stars (it has since been corrected apparently) and I find that gives a certain allure, a wile one might say; it's the minor imperfections that attract us to some people more than others I once read.None of the principal actresses played characters which had a joyful or happy life. The boarding school for well to-do young girls was their home. There was a narrative line by Mara I will hopefully recall when I need it, because it was a simple but perfect description of the school and also made for a good metaphor… "Tanner Hall is majestic but crumbling". Given the building's size, architecture and age, this was the best and most fitting description.The other three close schoolmates were also attractive. Only two characters had sympathetic roles, Mr. Middlewood, played by Chris Kattan, and Hank, played by Shawn Pyfrom. Kattan had a more important supporting role as a literature professor; I think he was picked because his character was one who was seriously being teased for arousal by one of his student, Kate played by Brie Larson, and also by his wife played by Amy Sedaris. The Middlewoods attempt at sex was a riot; without them the movie would have been a little too boring for me. The affair between Mara and Tom Everett Scott, who played Gio, was so predictable in all aspects that I found little interest in it. You might want to pass on this film; I watched it all because I have an appetite for quantity almost as much as I do for quality. You would want to see it if you watch an inordinate quantity of movies, otherwise pass.

cmt-talkingpictures I am not a teenage girl but after watching "Tanner Hall" I think I might know what it feels like to be one. The laser-perfect ensemble cast navigates the Terra Incognita of teenage love with rare & effortless authenticity. The look is elegant. The feel is timeless. The lighting is sublime. The shots are considered & appropriate. "Tanner Hall" is a first film & has its faults. But like the intermittent pools of light dappling its dark corridors, the film possesses a rare & uplifting spirit of redemption. Chris Kattan & Amy Sedaris are hilarious! The score is innovative & emotional. "Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" Rooney Mara is one of the stars. She's terrific. Great performances all around. Excellent Debut Film!