Would You Let Your 10 Year Old Daughter Play Esther?

Yes, but with my guidance. I mean...why not....right?

I know this is a year old post, and it's a minor trifle at best,
But Isabelle Fuhrman would have to have been at least 11 years old, not 10.
And possibly 12, depending on how long it took to film.
She was born in 1997. So, just barely under a teenager. It is a controversial topic, and if it were my children, serious talks would of course have to take place first to determine their maturity level and comfort with said role.
I'm not even sure acting as a profession is necessarily conducive to a healthy childhood in general, just look at all the Disney child stars now.

She was 12 in 2009, actually.

The actress who portrayed Esther was not actually ten years old. Through editing, photoshop, that type of crap, you can easily turn the appearance of a twenty-something year old into the appearance of a youngster.

The actress was actually 12, not 10. She is an American. So most of her friends will already be sexually active. I doubt making this movie could have corrupted her any more.

Your question reminds me of the s**t storm around "Tideland" and Jodelle Ferland, who was and is an intelligent, mature and professional actress. IMHO Isabelle Fuhrman fits that description as well.

My oldest daughter as a pre-teen experimented in performing arts/entertainment and finally decided not pursue it as a career (it was a mature decision and we allowed her to make it without interfering, now she's an MBA and works for an international bank). But if she had gone the other route we would've given her both professional and moral support.

My other 2 daughters not so much but they had no interest in acting, etc. Just as well. Anyhow, some kids can swing it and others can't. David Bowie was a grown-up and very nearly became Ziggy Stardust for real in his head, everybody's different.

It's a movie, not reality. There are tons of children that have played psychopathic children, worse than Esther. It's not like the child would end up to be just like the person they played. If I would let my child? I think I would. But then again, I don't know if I would have any of my children go into acting.

if i was a *beep* up mother wishing to live vicariously through my daughter's success, yes.