The two youngsters are not polished performers, but that's actually part of the subtle charm.

A delightful surprise because despite all the backstage drama, this is a movie that tells stories that work -- is charming, is moving, is funny and looks professional.

The story is enhanced by solid performances all around by Bonnie Hunt, Aidan Quinn and Kevin Pollack.

The performances take the movie to a higher level.

Sweetly earnest little drama.

Even when his technique is amateurish, Jones' belief in the material is refreshing. Pollak's gentle humor is well balanced by the blunt wit of Bonnie Hunt as the O'Malley matriarch.

The entertainment gods have cast mixed blessings on Stolen Summer. Let Pete Jones pray.

The film is shamelessly presented by Miramax as "The Project Greenlight Movie," and writer-director Pete Jones's big break may ultimately prove a liability.

It would be a mildly lovely thing to be able to say the movie isn't bad. But it is.

Stolen Summer is no disaster, though. It's merely one more misfire fortunate enough to attract actors like Bonnie Hunt and Aidan Quinn, who almost make it work.

It plays like a big-budget, after-school special with a generous cast, who at times lift the material from its well-meaning clunkiness.

Plays like an aggressively heart-tugging, exceedingly vanilla Disney telemovie.

Beyond fulfilling the dreams of a seemingly nice fellow, the whole venture is a victory of hype over substance, loudly accomplishing nothing.

Cringingly earnest, totally unremarkable fable.