Defending Our Kids: The Julie Posey Story (2003 TV Movie) User Reviews

Portrait of a hypocritical media whore

[justicebot1975 · 10 January 2005]

It's hard to watch this movie glorify one of the most unpleasant people I have ever read about. Her work is specious, and her envy laden attitudes towards people who do far more to protect children on the internet is shameful.

That Annie Potts would give interviews calling Posey 'brave' and 'admirable' when Posey actually spends an inordinate amount of time trying to prevent other more reputable groups from doing exactly what she did, but on a larger more successful scale, causes me to have a very negative reaction whenever I see Potts on the screen any more.

It may be possible for some people to watch this movie, and separate the character in the movie from the embittered hypocrite Posey is in real life, but it's hard for me to do so. Posey does like making money off of her work, if you visit her website, while others would do such an important job for free.

Sometimes a movie can be overwhelmed by its inaccuracies, presenting a view so slanted, that is other merits may be ultimately ignored.

This takes the cake.

Ego trip.

[rmax304823 · 1/10 · 8 December 2005]

Sometimes TV movies seem to do a first-rate job of dealing with social problems. "And the Band Played On" comes to mind, along with others. But this isn't a very good example. AIDS is undeniably there, as is child abuse, while internet predators are problematic.

The movie is not badly done. Potts has a winsome hapless face, with over-sized semi-frightened eyes, like a deer caught in the headlights. She's by no means Hollywood gorgeous. I enjoyed her performance. It's the only one that stands out. I'm not sure I believed the script in its entirety. Some of the incidents read too much like submissions to Screenplays 101.

Ms. Posey is wandering through a fairground and putting herself in danger for the sake of justice, wired for sound, with cops listening all over the place as she is drawn into the shadows by an internet predator. A pedestrian bumps into her and jars the microphone loose so it falls to the ground. She then walks out of the fairground not realizing she's trailing a loose wire and is talking to herself. Maybe it happened. Maybe it ALL happened or maybe just some of it happened. It's not a badly done TV movie but it's irritating because the movie seems so determined to whip us into a rage and justify it by such cheap means.

One of the problems with using internet predators as villains in the movies -- and there have been several like this -- is that there is so little scientific evidence that they exist. No amount of evidence, or the lack of it, is likely to change the minds of people who are convinced that they are a major social problem. Too bad. The paucity of internet predators ought to ease our anxiety, but somehow we can't seem to do without them.

A Very Weak Effort!

[iratazork · 2/10 · 29 July 2003]

Essentially a worthy subject to explore, but extremely poorly executed. Annie Potts' acting is wooden and devoid of any sense of realism. The sad part is that none of the actors were any better.

A true waste of film!

Great job dealing with a very important issue

[Lilibetp · 9/10 · 22 July 2003]

When I first heard about this movie, I thought it was going to be really silly, but being a huge "Designing Women" fan, wanted to watch it to see Annie Potts. I was pleasantly surprised by how well made it was. Because of the subject matter (pedophiles on the internet) I expected it to be kind of lurid and smarmy, but it really wasn't. I've seen episodes of "Special Victims Unit" that deal with the same issue, but haven't been so deeply affected as I was by this movie. I Highly recommend it and think it should be required watching for anyone with children.

Watch this movie before you are a victim. Enlightening movie.

[armahi_2000 · 10/10 · 8 December 2007]

Internet is not a fantasy. It is a reality. A new type of reality. You may not be ready for this, but it is out there. There are sexual predators out there. They are not only after your child, but they also can haunt any simple minded woman. Internet is already a dangerous place. This movie is enough to make you aware before it is too late.

Additionally this movie is a very nice family movie which focuses on relation between wife and husband, mother and daughter, father and and daughter. Really enlightening.

I loved this movie! I was really shocked seeing it underrated. This movie is a serious true story. But this is not gloomy story. It is interesting.

At last! A movie Lifetime hasn't screwed up!

[Megan_Koumori · 9 September 2003]

It's no secret. Lifetime is a very sick network. Lifetime thinks we want to see movies about women who are raped or beaten or cheaten or stalked or have an affair. So when I first heard of "Defending Our Kids" I had mixed emotions. First, I was estatic to hear that Annie Potts (My all time favorite actress) was in a new movie. I had also heard of the real Julie Posey and was interested in seeing her story on TV. But I knew Lifetime has a habit of putting one or more of the above in their films. In fact, if it weren't for Annie Potts, I probably would have skipped out on this all together.

Luckily, Lifetime got a clue (at least with this movie) and skipped the sex scene. They also managed to conviently "forget" about Julie Posey being raped as a teen by a stranger. As with all Lifetime movies, the subject matter is adult and should be viewed by a parent before letting anyone under the age of twelve see it. Otherwise, I enjoyed it. Annie Potts is excellent (as always), and the other actors and actresses aren't bad either. I managed to stay interested throughout the entire thing and didn't change the channel once or feel embarassed.

Now pardon me whilst I avoid "Sex and the Single Mom."

Makes you feel as if you are there

[Dphilly521 · 9/10 · 24 May 2014]

The message of this movie is so authentic that it makes the viewer feel as if he or she is in the middle of the plot, regardless of whether or not that person is a pedophile. Very strong direction and acting results in achieved success. Annie Potts was simply amazing as the main character and the main message within the plot was conveyed very immediately, and the repetition of its point is far from annoying. We need more enticing movies such as this one. We should spread the lessons learned and apply them as well. This is a very serious and important issue which ought not be ignored. I have watched a lot of movies over the course of many years and few such as this one keep the viewer on the edge of the seat throughout.

Great Internet-themed Movie

[parsons85 · 21 July 2003]

This movie was really a great film. Joanna Kerns, i think, has done a wonderful job with her first movie as director. Annie Potts was also great, as usual. It's great to see a movie that's up to date. There are many predators out there. Glad to see a movie done on this part of the many ways a predator can hurt your child.