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Title: 3 1/2 Stars - Needs More Realism but Has Some Heart
Review: Janie Jones is one of those smaller films that depends on their story and it delivers pretty solidly until the end. The teenage actress who appeared in Little Miss Sunshine works well in this film, making some borderline saccarine scenes play as authentic. Elisabeth Shue is fine in her smaller role but you get the feeling that a lesser known actress could have done just as well. The story is essentially the development of a relationship between a rocker dad and the daughter he didn't know. What makes it work is that lead actor is good enough as a singer to qualify as a rocker not good enough to be great. The relationship between him and his "surprise" teenage daughter is rocky and a work-in-progress that is good to see develop. The ending is pat and neat...which disappoints. If you like films like the recent FAMILIES LIKE US, then this is one that may appeal to you.
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