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Parents' Guide to

The Enchanted Cottage

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

For Valentine's Day, try this romantic classic.

Movie NR 1945 91 minutes
The Enchanted Cottage Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 2 parent reviews

theMOVIEloverforLIFE
theMOVIEloverforLIFE Adult
August 14, 2020
age 15+

Boring/extended is too boring even for me!

the racehorse
the racehorse Adult
July 19, 2011
age 8+

everyone watch it

this is one of my favorite movies. I am 64. the phrase Love is Blind, comes to mind. Beauty and the Beast. it is a wonderful movie.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In THE ENCHANTED COTTAGE, Mrs. Minnett (Mildred Natwick), a widow, owns a small cottage that she rents out to honeymoon couples. Some people believe there is a magic about the house that keeps the couples safe and happy. Laura (Dorothy McGuire) is a plain girl who comes to work in the house. Oliver (Robert Young), rich and careless, comes to see the house and reserves it for his honeymoon. But before his wedding, he is seriously injured. He comes to the cottage alone and bitter, to retreat from the world. Wanting to shield himself from his family and his former fiancee, he impulsively proposes to Laura, who accepts, but does not tell him that she loves him. He is so self-absorbed that he does not even wonder why she agrees. But the honeymoon cottage works its enchantment, and they realize that they have become beautiful and whole, and deeply in love. But when Oliver's family arrives, they cannot see the transformation. Oliver and Laura are crushed, until they realize that the enchantment was love, and that it would always make them beautiful to one another.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (2 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Like the magic in the story, this movie is only for believers, but there are many cynics who have a special affection for what can only be called its enchantment. As Antoine de Saint-Exupery penned in The Little Prince, "It is only with the heart that once can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." Many children will not have the patience for this story, but others will find it one of their favorite films.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the writer and director help the viewer believe in the magic that Oliver and Laura feel. Why doesn't Oliver want to see his family? Do people in love see each other differently than other see them? Can you think of other movies or books where this happens?

Movie Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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