The film quality was first rate...the audio as well. It doesn't seem like a cheap production until you start getting into the story. This is a cute movie, the kids are perfect. What's sad is that this could have been really good. The writing, or lack of, and the directing, or lack of, is where this movie falls short.
A really good director would have brought out more realism from these kids and the rest of the supporting actors. A good director is not going to wrap up a scene until it plays well. I personally think that to much credit is given to "popular" actors. The writing and directing is more important than most people realize and that's where this movie falls short. The acting looks (bad) because there appears to be very little directing going on. And, it almost seems like there was no script in places. Just someone telling the kids to do what ever they wanted to do to fill up space. Terrible writing and directing.