Haphazardly adapted from Katherine Paterson's popular 1977 coming-of-age children’s book, "Bridge to Terabithia" is a problematic movie held together by its charming child actors.
Josh Hutcherson plays Jess Aarons, a gifted artist and fast runner whose less-than-wealthy home life with four sisters and surly parents demands some kind of escape.
Jess’s underdog life — he gets bullied at school — picks up considerably when new girl Leslie Burke (AnnaSophia Robb) moves into his rural area.
The fledgling couple develops a sympathetic rapport enlivened by their fertile imaginations.
The pair create an imaginary world called Terabithia in a nearby forest. Jess and Leslie build a treehouse that can only be accessed by crossing a raging creek on a rope swing, and it’s this crossing that brings tragedy into Jess’ comprehension of the world.
Rated PG. 94 mins.
