Was it just me or ...

That is an unforgettable scene my wife and I still talk about. That poor little girl is just completely inconsolable as her dad drives away. For a scene to be that effective, one can only wonder at how it was made possible.

I do too. I just can't help it. My own father was as selfish as hers, choosing his new wife over his daughter. The difference is, her father at least says that he loves her and will always want her (no matter if it isn't really true). Mine never said that.

Also, I've seen an interview with Sandra Bullock who discusses that scene, and she said that the girl improvised that whole scene, and that Sandra's response was to walk down the front walk and pick the girl up hold her in her arms.

That little girl was a fabulous actress.

And she wasn't annoying. She (the character) was hurt and confused about everything going on. She hated the small town, she hated that her mother was so disconnected from everything, she missed her dad, and she really didn't understand why her parents split up. Add to that, she was being bullied at school and no one would do anything about it, at school or at home. No one seemed to believe it was as serious as it was. So she probably felt abandoned not only by her father, but her mother as well, and in part, her grandmother.

So to me, her behavior and attitude was understandable.

Yes, her mother did tell her to stop! But those were the funniest scenes. Her comedic timing impressed me more than her crying.