Ran expectation is really a trap. you either meet it, exceed it, or get something far lower than it. well, I had expectation on this movie. first, because Saoirse Ronan is one of my favorite actresses. I watched her in "The Lovely Bones" and after that movie, I always see her as someone who's mysterious. second, I watched "Room" before this, and I heard this movie has similar plot with it, so I tried. I liked Room, good enough for me. so I thought maybe this time it'll be even better.but, what a shame. this movie couldn't meet my expectation. nice story, but poor way of presenting it. I was anticipating "something" to happen the entire movie but a few minutes left before it ended, nothing happened. and I was sad because I didn't get whatever it was I was hoping to get.the whole time, it felt like the movie didn't go anywhere. it made me questioning, what was actually the story here? Leia (or Leanne)'s life when she was with Ben? or her recovery? she didn't recover or anything, yet there was also nothing clear about her life when she was with Ben. only a few cuts, but still couldn't depict what actually happened in the "basement". I couldn't even grasp what was happening between her and her biological mom. it was like the movie was actually longer than it is now, but they cut it into cuts for whatever reason it is. not gonna recommend this to people, but I'd give 4 out of 10 for at least captivating me with the fresh story-line.

ru_thaker I just watched this. I thought Cynthia Nixon was sublime. Her acting was truly captivating and engaging, so talented, I would love to see her in more roles so if anyone can suggest I would be grateful. I feel, dare I say (controversially) Sex & the City was beneath her really after watching this and if that is what she is mostly associated with.It would've been nice if more detail was given behind the kidnapping. I appreciate the subtlety in a way however. It seems audiences were lost. It would've been nice if there was more insight into Leah's ordeal/experience.Good film, enjoyed.

loueymc This movie is very well acted by all of the cast. It was interesting to see how people can cope in the aftermath of someone's child being abducted, then many years later having them return and how they deal with this. Saoirse Ronan and Cynthia Nixon both have very strong parts, one is dealing with having to leave the only 'home' that she has known, having being brought up with a man who has brainwashed her with lies from a very young age, therefore knows no other truth, but also shows a caring side to her-therefore she develops a strong connection to her kidnapper, so feels as though she has been torn away from the only life she has ever known, even if it was all lies given by someone unstable. She then is taken back to her parents, who she does not know and clearly feels uncomfortable around them, this understandably is very difficult for all three of them. However, I must object to how the Mother deals with the situation completely, rather than giving her time that she obviously needs to form a connection with her parents at her own pace, her Mother basically just does the same thing the kidnapper did and tries to force a connection on her. And all due to the fact that not only does she not have the patience to allow nature to take it's course, behave selfless and be capable of putting her Daughter's feelings first, be understanding to her feelings and needs...but she also teaches her that 'love' means to lock someone you care about in a room, giving food and water on a schedule, ordering them to do things without a choice, keeping her locked away from any other people, tying a rope around her arm so she does not try to run away, therefore establishing no trust whatsoever and ultimately forcing her to create her own little escape. As difficult a situation something like this would be, no Mother should do any of those things and certainly not one who knows that she has already had that done to them. I do recommend giving this movie a watch, as they all played very well in it

johnnyhightest Leanne/Leia (Saoirse Ronan) is a young woman who has had two crimes committed against her: she was stolen from her family, and she was robbed of a soul. She was kidnapped as a young child and confined to a windowless room by a kind but deranged stranger (Jason Isaacs) who raised her on lies and subtle influences to make her believe he was her only hope in life (hence the title "Stockholm" Pennsylvania). For obvious reasons, he intended to limit her understanding of the outside world and subsequently rendered her incapable of handling life beyond his walls.Then it happens that Leia is freed and returned to her biological parents. It should be a happy, joyful reunion; unfortunately, it is anything but.I'm a huge fan of Saoirse Ronan. She thrilled me in Hanna and ripped my guts out in the Lovely Bones. In this movie she has to play it down, as her character is emotionally stunted from captivity and psychically overwhelmed by the real world. She does a wonderful job as the detached escapee, conveying a wide range of emotions just with those big blue eyes and also with her control of subtle facial expressions. Cynthia Nixon is also outstanding as the mother, who not only has to accept her own daughter's alienation of affection but also the horrible reality that Leia cannot accept her new situation. She and her flummoxed husband (David Warshofsky) struggle to rekindle the warmth and congeniality of a familial bond that has never really had a chance to exist, while battling with issues that no parent would ever want to have.Strong praise for writer/director Nikole Beckwith for composing a riveting (if at times deliberately slow-paced) depiction of a true tragedy. Her scenes are at times difficult to endure, but the story is excellent.