This was a weird story that was hard to watch. Their really was no heroic story here. Everything that Livingston's character did was sporadic and pointless.

Low budget, poor acting, and dismal cinematography have turned what could be a great movie into bargain bucket material. The story was there, but it was so badly put directed and produced that it lost its credibility. As Michael Snyder of the San Francisco put it, "Holly might have been more effective as a documentary."

Very touching movie about an American man in Cambodia who becomes attached to a young Vietnamese girl who he tries to save from child prostitution.

very good film 8 out of 10

I'm torn about this movie. On one hand, it is a very interesting production and well thought out story. On the other hand, it is a very blatant soapbox preaching session of a movie. It gets a little awkward when it transitions between, but is successful enough. However, I think this also makes you think and assume that the movie is going in one direction and kicks to another. And that isn't such a bad thing. It has wonderful acting by everyone, even the supporting players. The girl is amazing and Ron Livingston really surprises with how great he can be. It is an obvious real world setting and production doesn't suffer. And the script really does take you through a journey with twists and turns. The only real faults, again, are that it gets a slight bit heavy handed when it wants to make a point (though those points need to be made with such a horrible subject that happens way too often) and point the finger at people who participate. AND IGNORE, which it does in a very interesting way to point out in this movie. It is effective, but also comes off a little cheesy. The other fault is that it takes the other lead, Livingston, and tries to get you to identify with him, but then takes him through a journey where they say he just keeps making mistakes. It is trying to point out that these things are mistakes, but it never says that he made the right decision in trying to help. Then, you see how it all goes. In many ways, he is a tragic hero, but also can seem like a fool being played by a system that can't be fixed. However, I recommend this movie because this is a tragedy that shouldn't be ignored and just the effort to make this a subject brought to light for everybody so awareness can lead to help in any way when possible, is important.

Overall, I believe the acting was okay...but I was expecting a resolution in the end...for the money, I thought this was going to be a better film. It felt dragged out...and dull. More emotion could have been emphasized on...and again, the ending was very disappointing.

Holly is a VERY accurate and realistic portrayal of human trafficking. What makes the film so accurate is its open-ended not-happy-ending. It is very difficult to get girls out of sexual servitude, and there are millions enslaved all of the world today. This is REAL and we join with the oppressors of those we choose to ignore. Go to an organization and at least donate $10 to help those who are fighting trafficking.

This was a difficult film to watch because even though it is fiction, the story is effectively based on real, happening events that at times, I found it challenging to continue watching. I wonder whether a documentary would have been more effective, but as an activist film, it achieves its aim. One cannot really ‘like’ this film but is either affected or not by the grim situations is shows; I was affected.

A decent film, was a bit drawn out though.

A dark movie about the true life horrors of the underground sex trade. Another movie of the same genre only better is "Trade". both will make you feel dirty though

Hmm... well, movies need to be made about subject matter such as this because human trafficking and child sexploitation is a monumental human rights and global health issue. With that said, this film has the capacity to make you pretty uncomfortable because I've seen documentary footage with the same kind of situations in it (for instance, the 5-year-old girls offering themselves to tourists). The actual sex is insinuated but it still doesn't help the discomfort the viewer will most likely feel by watching it. The acting is good. The little girl, played by Nguyen, is pretty good in some scenes but not in others. The music in this film is really... weird. I think it's very misplaced, too. It sounded like it belonged in a Wile E. Coyote cartoon. I wished they had used actual Cambodian music or a more depressing type of arrangement instead because whoever was in charge of music here did an awful job. This doesn't seem like a big deal but really, it kind of is. Not only did it kind of pull me out of the story because I was going, "What the HELL is that noise?", but music can do a lot for the mood of a film. The music here didn't really help at all. It was more of a distraction, honestly. I shouldn't have to pause the movie because I think someone *outside* is making noise. Also, the ending where the little girl suddenly looks up into the camera is odd. I didn't understand the symbolism of this scene, if there was any at all. With that said, the movie in and of itself isn't the greatest but it is enough to get its message across and strike people who may not be aware of this issue, and that is what matters in the end. So I give it 3 and a half stars and recommend it simply because of the subject it deals with.

I think it's just hard to make a good film about what is probably the greatest human tragedy (and undoubtedly the greatest at this time). Trade had some poignant and troubling scenes, but like this movie, was undermarketed and failed to convey the true sadness of human trafficking. Taken was well-marketed, but mostly for its action/revenge angle. As for this movie, it is moving enough. Ron Livingston never shows much range, but his baseline, average character is a pretty fucking likable guy. Nguyen I think does well for the part and is only not believable in a few minor scenes. I'm thankful for movies like this that shine the light on a very serious issue. In this particular film, there are two nasty scenes: one with very young children (too young for boom boom but plenty old for yum yum...about 6-7 years old if that), and naturally the scene where Nguyen's character is finally used. Even though nothing is shown, the subtlety is plenty. SPOILERS - I like that the ending is not happily tied up (as few of these cases are), but I think a better ending would have been to hit the credits while both were running.

Its gritty realism and location photography is excellent, as is the humanitarian aim behind the film. The plot is tedious and makes the emotionally powerful narrative seem a bit dull and lackluster. It is commendable for not having a fairy tale ending, and for sticking closely to reality.

Excellect movie. It shows how sad things are in the world and how much work there still needs to get done. Good story.

I can't believe that a stolen artifacts dealer would think that there's something wrong with a child being stolen and sold into prostitution but not think that there's something wrong with what he does. Still, I am thankful that this movie brought attention to trafficking. How sad that the guy gets arrested in the end.

Almost educational activist film. Almost because it could and should have been more compelling, but instead felt bland. Chris Penn was great as always despite his limited screen time.

Not bad. Felt very watered down, but still a good movie raising awareness of child prostitution. The young girl who plays 12 year old Holly is very good, as is Ron Livingstone as the man who tries to help her escape.

5.5/10. Rather routine, the story is familiar. It's been done better before as well as worse. Sincere performances. It's a well meaning film, but it's nothing out of the ordinary and not very memorable.

Good intention, bad drama

For its subject matter, the film should have been more gripping, but the movie unsuccessfully tries to educate about child prostitution in Cambodia and entertain at the same time. Although the film is not without some very disturbing scenes (one scene in particular involves solicitation from some extremely underage girls), a documentary without the attempts at drama would've given the issue the attention it deserves.