Moving film about a retired nurse helping people who seem to be forgotten and need help. It concludes with a positive finish filled with struggles while trying to keep going. All characters showed us pain and smiles, much like life. Fear can be overcome, hardships can still have a nice ending, and we all live life and death happens to those we love. Directors Christina Tsialtas and Maritza Brikisak gave us a powerful look behind this pretty exterior that houses people in various forms of distress. Physical, mental anguish and abuse all played out well in the lives that reside in and out of this home hoping for something better. I highly recommend this heartwarming film.

An excellent cast of characters, each struggling. Their stories still resonate with me, not in despair but hope. Back to the characters, though each one suffers, they come together for moments of clarity, caring and understanding. You get to truly know each of the people and begin to worry. The film was made in a lovely neighborhood filled with large homes. Many of the scenes are filmed outdoors which helps to soften some of the high stakes drama portrayed. Perhaps my favorite scene is when a young woman scars herself to try and escape from a life of drugs and prostitution. Her desperation immense...

source: Sophie's Rules

Movies frequently tell the stories of lone heroes who overcome troubles on their own. "Sophie's Rules" give us something different....and far more realistic. This ensemble movie dramatizes the truth that for most of us the key to moving beyond suffering is becoming part of a caring community. In this intense and hopeful film, the mutually helping group consists of half-a-dozen down-and-outers. These include an alcoholic magician, a young woman who was pimped out by her boyfriend, a brain-damaged football player, and a soldier's mother who refuses to accept that he was killed in battle. Most of the action takes place is a comfortable home owned by Sophie Hagan, whose empathy and love work miracles. But Sophie herself is not above the fray. She has her own demons, and we learn from her journey that the gift of compassion begets compassion. Sophie is healed by healing others. Although it deals with suffering, the movie is not gloomy. Tears are balanced by laughter as the characters find pleasure and strength in sharing meals, dancing, playing games, teasing each other, and exploring difficult questions. The actors-led by Maritza Brikisak (who also co-directed)-perform in a naturalistic way. That style, which is well-suited to the material, intensifies the movie's emotionally satisfying climax.

I liked it, a moving film that gives nice positive vibes. Different moments were pretty exciting. Congrats to all the actors for the good performance. I watched Maritza in the horror movie, The Lurking Man, here she played in totaly different role but was tot great., a sign of a good actress :D the message of the movie is very deep, specially in those days where person are so indifferent eachother, mark how all could be different with a good heart and how is possible help other is a good positive message Congrats for the good atmosphere, cool cinematography too.. Also nice place where it was recorded.

I love this movie! Watched it twice and for sure will watch again. It started kinda slow for me, but then ..the story is very touching, very sad. I ask my boyfriend to watch this with me and in the beginning I can tell, that he's not taking this serious, but then i can see his face changing , I know that he can relate to some of the characters, and he was quite till the end of the movie. All the characters are real, they are around us, maybe it's me, or you, or someone you know. All their struggles, all the difficulties are real. Hundreds of people walk by you everyday on the street, you don't know them, they don't don't know you. You don't know their struggles, they don't care how many demons you have to fight to survive.. Sophie cares, you just must follow Sophie's rules. I totally recommend this to everyone.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and earnestly recommend anyone and everyone watch it. I found it to be a heart-tugging storyline and was very moved by the crosses each of the characters was bearing and the realistic, though certainly not always positive manner with which each was confronting them. While I know nothing about film making, it seems astounding that the people involved in this production were able to create such art within the constraints of a budget so small. They clearly were more concerned with their craft and the telling of the emotional story than making a bundle of money off of their film. In summary, I was touched and entertained, and hope all who had a hand in it are satisfied and proud of the wonderful result of their efforts.

Touching threads of folks who are struggling being given a supposed temporary safety zone. Broken systems around the works are not able to care for people they govern. Veterans are to be treated with dignity and respect not forgotten. Sophie imposes rules and she has to follow them, also while making it possible for her to help people in need. PTSD, anxiety, panic attacks, grief mental anguish of all kinds are often not understandable can lead to different outcomes. This is a descent touching film that hits the heart and has a cute finish. Comedy drama? More drama and not so much comedy. I recommend this.

I recently had the pleasure of watching Sophie Rules, and I must say that it is truly a gem of a film. The story revolves around Sophie, a retired nurse who transforms her home into a transition shelter. The movie beautifully explores the lives of a diverse group of people who seek refuge in the Cottonwood residence. The characters are so well-developed, and the talented cast brings them to life with great depth and sensitivity. From a terminally ill woman to an alcoholic magician, a PTSD veteran, a young drug addict, and a grieving mother, each character's story is poignant, heart-wrenching, and ultimately uplifting. The movie does an outstanding job of emphasizing the shared experiences we have as human beings, regardless of our dissimilarities. It is a reminder that we all experience sadness and seclusion in our own unique ways and that extending support to one another is what paves the way towards a better world. The plot of Sophie Rules is exceptional and captivates your interest from beginning to end. It's a poignant story that elicits powerful emotions and inspires you. If Sophie were a real person, I would be thrilled to express my appreciation for her selflessness and kindness by writing her a check to support her shelter. Overall, I highly recommend Sophie Rules. It's a must-see movie that deserves 10 big stars. The acting, direction, and writing are all top-notch, and it is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

I recently had the pleasure of watching Sophie Rules, and I must say that it is truly a gem of a film. The story revolves around Sophie, a retired nurse who transforms her home into a transition shelter. The movie beautifully explores the lives of a diverse group of people who seek refuge in the Cottonwood residence. The characters are so well-developed, and the talented cast brings them to life with great depth and sensitivity. From a terminally ill woman to an alcoholic magician, a PTSD veteran, a young drug addict, and a grieving mother, each character's story is poignant, heart-wrenching, and ultimately uplifting. The movie does an outstanding job of emphasizing the shared experiences we have as human beings, regardless of our dissimilarities. It is a reminder that we all experience sadness and seclusion in our own unique ways and that extending support to one another is what paves the way towards a better world. The plot of Sophie Rules is exceptional and captivates your interest from beginning to end. It's a poignant story that elicits powerful emotions and inspires you. If Sophie were a real person, I would be thrilled to express my appreciation for her selflessness and kindness by writing her a check to support her shelter. Overall, I highly recommend Sophie Rules. It's a must-see movie that deserves 10 big stars. The acting, direction, and writing are all top-notch, and it is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.