So, we saw Into the Woods on Christmas day.

[MoseySusan]

Loved the performances, especially Meryl Streep.  The theme of disordered parent/child relationships is haunting and definitely made mr. and I think twice about the tension between the "tale" world and reality.  There is a distinct shift in the tone that makes the film seem longer than it really is.  My knees always start hurting about an hour and a half into a movie from sitting in one place for so long, and I was ready for the story be over long before it actually ended.  I believe the story ends tragically, but I've seen reviews that suggest hope.  From my point of view, if the town and forest have been destroyed, relationships have been severed, and the remnant of people have nothing to hold onto but their story...that's tragic regardless of the willingness of the children to listen.