What makes the Deep End of the Ocean shine bright is in the way the storyline gradually improves as it goes along, and you will find that your emotions are harder to keep under control as it happens.  The writing is mostly good with a few exceptions, and the way the story keeps you attached to the TV screen is definitely one of the positives.  I seriously wasn't expecting such a phenomenal performance by all the actors and actresses involved.  Putting into words what makes this movie so great is very difficult since there's so much attention to emotions and specifically, crying (not exactly tears of sadness either, which is what's so surprising).