5/5 You don't realize its so great until it's over
  by Fredo (Florida)
This movie is fantastic. You don't really realize how great it is until after its over though. It is a great story. A Catholic Boarding School teacher falls in love with her female student. That's right, it is about lesbians and homosexuality. However, if you are just looking for "lesbian action" don't waste your time with this, its not a sex movie. If on the other hand, you are mature enough to handle such a plot, you'll love it. So after an hour of the student pursuing the teacher and the teacher being wary and afraid to be with her.....well I can't tell you how it ends. What I will say, though, is why it is so great. It does not openly debate, discuss, or point out anything about homosexuality being right, wrong, good, or evil. What it instead does is tell a wonderful tale of romantic, yet forbidden pursuit, and no matter what your stance is on homosexuality in general, you cannot help but hope for a happy ending, and get wrapped up in this love drama. After the movie is over, you think of how bittersweet the story is and poor this and at least that and then it hits you - You have been focusing on love, passion, heartache, and beauty....but NOT about Straight or Gay relationships. That's the beauty of this film. It captures you into a world of pure love drama and you forget that it is about a controversial subject at all. Regardless of your stance in this controversy, all you can focus on while watching is a love story between two human beings. Watch it, you'll love it.

4/5 Wonderful study of "forbidden" teacher/student love
  by Iryshkidd (California)
This new 'hottest movie around' tells a poignant story full of taboo, passion, and hidden lives brimming at the surfaces of these women as they fall deeper into each others worlds. You're carried along watching Simone's more mature "self" struggle to resist the younger, beautiful, and obviously very enlightened, student. Rebellious Annabelle is young and doesn't demonstrate any real concept of consequence, and is focused on acting on her feelings and thoughts. This story is tender, real, controversial and compelling. The film quality is excellent, even if the acting isn't exactly top notch. Stil, the women and settings are beautiful! YES, there is seduction, obviously, and man is it wonderful! The women are just lovely, both actresses are completely sexy and intriguing. I didn't like the ending, but it absolutely dismantles the "double standard" question and says that it isn't OK to seduce students! (but you can also click the 'alternate ending' option in the bonus section to get a happier ending) I loved the way Simone's past was revealed bit by bit along the way; her struggle with heartache and vulnerability - but while possessing intellect and strength at the same time - was so intriguing. The evolving and maturing Annabelle was refreshing, but so was her youthful tenacity in holding on to her own set of values. The way they ultimately let the barrier between them melt away, and find themselves relating as women, unfolds in the "beach house" scene. Very touching. I take away 1 star for not developing this as much as it could have been, therefore, ending it in one hour. The love scene between the women is smokin' hot!

5/5 Deleted scenes, alternate ending, commentary, etc.
  by Idgie Towanda (Florida USA)
Great movie! One of the things I could NOT find on this page was the following info on the DVD release, THE EXTRA'S. :Behind the scenes featurette (with outtakes & interviews) , AN ALTERNATE ENDING, Commentary with Katherine Brooks & Erin Kelly, AND Deleted Scenes

3/5 Watchable, but I've seen better.
  by Mitch (Hobart, Tas Australia)
I must admit, when it comes to Lesbian Films, most suck. This one didn't, but it wasn't as good as it could have been. The acting seemed a bit stiff to me and there was a lack of emotion and tension. Also the topic was moralisticly questionable. I know these relationships occur, but should they? Should a 30 something year old woman accept the advances of a 16 year old girl? As far as endings go, this one was different and not how people expect 'love stories' to end, but totally appropriate considering the topic and the people involved. If you want to see a nice Lesbian love story with a happy ending, lots of tension and emotion, see 'When Night is Falling'.

4/5 Great Movie with a Poor Ending.
  by The Trickster (Belly Button, NM, USA)
Loving Ananabelle is well written, well directed, and both stars (Diane Gaidry and Erin Kelly) do excellent work here.

The story does a fine job of showing the venom faced by anyone who chooses to be different from the "norm", whatever that is. Although this movie touches on lesbianism, it is not simply a story about lesbians. And it is not porn, in my opinion. It's more a story about love, about prejudice, ostracism, harassment and about the courage and suffering required of those brave enough to openly leave the safety of the herd.

I would have rated this movie a strong five, had it not been for the ending. The writer/director is certainly a talented artist to have created such a fine and insightful story and to write and direct it so well. But she certainly could have done better on the ending; it was quite disappointing. The alternate ending available was better, but it was still less that adequate.

Overall, I recommend the movie, Loving Annabelle. Be ready for considerable disappointment during the final ten of fifteen minutes, however.