M.
Night makes a kid's film!
I have long
believed that children are our most brilliant
teachers. Children are capable of
surrender...surrender to heart, surrender to
faith, surrender to fear, surrender to love.
Yes, many times a life experience may alter this
surrender...but, inherently, children surrender
far more easily than adults. This surrender
allows them the opportunity to experience life
on an authentic level and to learn without bias,
without discrimination. It is us...the adults of
the world who plant the bias, who plant the
seeds of discrimination and of doubt.
This film impacted me in much the way "Ponette"
did...while no performance will ever likely
match that of the young child in "Ponette," this
much more mainstream exploration of a child's
grief, search for hope, search for faith and
meaning is powerful in the way it presents grief
and faith as a part of everyday life. Whereas "Ponette"
focused quite intensely on the child's grief,
this film incorporates that grief into the
child's life.
This is a family film in the truest sense of the
word. It celebrates family of birth and family
of choice...it acknowledges the power of
friendship to heal, and the power of each of us
to heal each other and to be angels without
wings.
This is not a film for everyone...I can't fathom
that an atheist or individual not on a spiritual
path would enjoy this film or understand its
intent. If you require a family film that moves
at a fast pace and is abundant in its silliness,
then this film will not meet your needs.
This film reminds me, in some ways, of "Angus,"
another of my favorite films. While "Angus" took
place in high school, and some of the issues
were different...it taught so many lessons about
being an individual, being true to yourself and
becoming empowered through one's grief. It's
honesty and simplicity have made me cry every
time I have seen the film.
This film, too, brought me to tears on multiple
occasions. This is largely due to the wonderful
performance of Joseph Cross, as Joshua Beals.
Cross is front and center here, and while I
initially had to work through a voice that was
eerily similar to Haley Joel Osment, I found his
performance to be understatedly powerful. He
serves also as the film's narrator, and his
voice works wonderfully within the scenes.
As his parents, Dana Delany and Denis Leary have
smaller, supporting roles but do so much with
them. In small, quiet ways they show beautifully
how a parent struggles to help and love their
child through their grief. Quite simply, this is
beautiful...and the look on their faces in a
closing scene of resolution is the look of pride
I think every child yearns for in life.
Perhaps the film's most beautiful scenes are the
scenes with Grandpa, played by Robert Loggia,
and Joshua. These are simple scenes...they are
not played for drama or for effect...they are
simple, tender scenes of a special relationship
between a grandfather and his grandchild. It is
Grandpa's death that is grieved, and the
flashback scenes powerfully illustrate the deep
love and affection they had which helps so much
in understanding Joshua's grief.
It is sad, in some ways, that Rosie O'Donnell is
featured on the cover of this DVD. It gives the
impression this is an O'Donnell comedy...while
she's garnered moderate respect as an
actress...I think giving this impression will
keep some from viewing the film. Plus, quite
simply, it is not accurate. She is a part of
this film, and a wonderful part in her role as a
nun, but she's truly not central here. So,
please know...a Rosie O'Donnell comedy this is
not.
Supporting players who do beautiful jobs here
include Camryn Manheim (also a nun), Timothy
Reifsnyder as Joshua's best friend, Heather
Casler as Hope and a much younger Julia Stiles
giving an underdeveloped character considerable
life. Stiles, in particular, could have had a
throwaway character, but she adds so much to
this role in being a sister...not a caricature.
I am, much like fellow critic NYC, feeling
somewhat protective of this film. Perhaps unlike
NYC, I am unwilling to hide it. There are,
undoubtedly, those who will pick it apart. Quite
simply, I don't care. I can't help but believe
that the messages in this film are so incredibly
vital that I should shout it from the rooftops.
So, I make a special note here that hasn't been
noted. Somewhat surprisingly, this film is
written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. It
is his film directly prior to "Sixth Sense." It
is far from anything he has done since "Sixth
Sense" and yet you can easily see hints of his
spirituality and faith within the film. I agree
with NYC's observation that it appears he was
likely directed by the studio to add some coming
of age humor that seems oddly out of place at
times. The ending, in particular, is like "Now
that's a "Night" move."
This film received a nomination for Best Feature
in the Young Artist Awards, and Cross received
an acting nomination. It is nice to see that it
received some recognition.
In short, this film excels where many films
fail. It is an intelligent family film...it does
not condescend to children, but honors, respects
and embraces them. It explores the journey of
childhood with openness and authenticity, adding
life journeys that many of us stay on our entire
lives. I finished viewing this film feeling
"Wide Awake" and ready to embrace life.
©
Written by Richard
Propes
TC Candler's Comment
N/A
Jacob
Hall's Comment
N/A
