Boy Who Could Fly, the

 

 

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I want to start out this review by saying that I love this movie. It has a special quality that I can't quite put my finger on, but I think it encourages one to look beyond oneself and to think on deeper matters. It's a bit disturbing at times, but at the same time it is a touching love story. There are a lot of lessons presented in this movie including learning to trust and love again after tremendous personal loss. Also, that there is hope, and we should not give up despite tragic circumstances or difficulties in life.

Eric and Millie are both dealing with death in different ways. Eric's parents died in a plane crash when he was very young and after that point, living with his uncle who is an alcoholic, he retreats into a world that seems similar to autism. I looked online to see if emotional disturbance could cause autism, and I came up blank, except that Bruno Bethleheim was an "expert" who believed that autism was caused by traumatic experiences because the children affected had unloving mothers. Autism experts believe this to be a dark time in the field of Autism, and his ideas weren't followed for long, fortunately. I don't suppose it matters why Eric withdraws, but I think that the beauty of this story is that two people learn to love each other unconditionally despite their setbacks or disabilities. Millie is on a similar journey to Eric in that she is dealing with the loss of her father to suicide. I feel the white rose with a hint of pink, represents hope in the presence of grieving from the loss of a loved one.

Putting all the deep meanings aside, as one can appreciate this movie on two different levels; I think it is a touching love story with lots of special moments that those with romantic sensibilities can enjoy. I love the cloud dream sequence, wow! The acting is superb especially by Lucy Deakins who plays Millie. Fred Savage is just adorable as the younger brother. Jay Underwood presents an outstanding and believable portrayal of Eric, so much so that you feel you really know him. There is only a very mimimal amount of language that will be offensive to some.

I'd recommend this fantasy story that hits closer to home than most movies about true reality ever could!

The Boy Who Could Fly, was a very good movie, but my favorite character was Mona, and when she threw the volleyball at the main girl from the movie. Her presense in the film had everything to do with the movie.

"The Boy Who Could Fly" is such a rarity in the genre. This is not so much a kid's movie, as it is a full-blooded drama that happens to have kids as characters. It tells the story of a family, suffering the loss of their father/husband. The decline in income requires them to move into a "fixer upper" home in a quiet residential neighborhood. The eldest child, Millie (beautifully played by Lucy Deakins) becomes fascinated with the teenage autistic boy next door, Eric (Jay Underwood) who sits in his window all day and pretends to fly. Through circumstances at school, Millie takes him on as a "project." As her kindly teacher(Colleen Dewhurst) points out, "Doctors haven't been able to get a word out of him. Maybe a friend could." She tries to draw him out of his condition through every day activities, and over time, the form a very close connection, and even fall in love. Meanwhile, Millie must deal with the burdens of home, trying to reconcile the suicide of her father, and her very stressed out and grief-stricken mother(the wonderful Bonnie Bedelia), who is trying to get back into the work force.
While there is certainly more to the story than this, it would be a shame to spoil details for those who have not seen this film. It is uncommonly intelligent, charming, and very moving. It speaks in the language of children, without ever becoming condescending or silly, even when the film's more fantastic elements are revealed. The story and its characters feel real. Their grief feels real. Their longing to believe in happy endings feels real.
The performances are outstanding. Lucy Deakins and Jay Underwood are entirely convincing. It's so rare to see a teenage girl portrayed with this kind of uncynical intelligence. Underwood's Eric barely has any lines in the film, but instead, like a young Harrison Ford, communicates so much in his face that we hardly notice. This is a teen romance for the ages.
The adult players are also fine. Bonnie Bedelia, one of the most convincing actors or our era, plays Charlene as tough yet fragile, nurturing but flawed. The late Colleen Dewhurst is lovely and compassionate as Mrs. Sherman.
Surprisingly the film has been written and directed by Nick Castle, known for such disappointments as "Mr. Wrong" and "The Last Starfighter." He is better known as being the 1st actor to play Michael Myers in the original "Halloween." This is his best film by far. He should try to make more films along these lines. We sure need them.
I hope people will show this film to their kids some day. It is a reminder that films about kids used to be intelligent and authentic, not lobotomized, as I feel they have become over the past 15 years. This film still gives me hope, and gives me the excuse to dream.

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5.0 out of 5 stars To Affinity and Beyond by garrie keyman
As a rule, where cinema is concerned, I find what's bad rarely gets better, while what's good rarely gets worse. The 1999 Warner Bros. Read more

Published on Mar 14 2004 by garrie keyman

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
I love this movie and for years I couldn't find it out to buy so when I saw it here, I had to have it. It's a sweet, romantic comedy.

Published on Feb 25 2004 by Raven

5.0 out of 5 stars What happened to those days?
I remember when I first saw this film I enjoyed it as well. I have the movie at home on VHS but I didn't know there was a DVD out. Read more

Published on Jan 12 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Movies About Kids Ever
This is a story of two families. One moves next to the other. Both have suffered loss and are dealing with it in different ways. Read more

Published on Sep 23 2003 by Joshua Koppel

4.0 out of 5 stars A modern Peter Pan story
This film was absolutely fantastic! It reminded me of one of those TV movies or a true-life film, which my mum watches constantly, and they don't normally appeal to me. Read more

Published on Aug 4 2003 by Meesha

4.0 out of 5 stars They don't make 'em like this anymore.
I'm so tired of modern family movies full of fart jokes or movies where teenagers make love to pastries and it's supposed to be funny and then they staple on some superficial... Read more

Published on July 29 2003 by Inspector Gadget

4.0 out of 5 stars Great as a kid
Well, I was about 8ish/9ish when I first saw this movie, and I loved it only because I had a crush on Jay! Read more

Published on May 4 2003 by Brianna G. Driscoll

5.0 out of 5 stars Touching and a family favorite.
This movie I saw as a child, I couldn't have been very old as I was only 4 when it came out. I loved this movie so much as a kid and held it with me as somewhat of a child's wish,... Read more

Published on Jan 27 2003 by Katie

4.0 out of 5 stars sweet childhood fable
THIS IS A SWEET, LIFE-AFFIRMING FILM THAT I FIRST SAW AS A TEEN.
WHAT IS REALLY A SIMPLE STORY IS ILLUMINATED BY EXCELLENT UNDER
STATED PERFORMANCES. Read more

Published on Sep 14 2002 by abigbadbear

4.0 out of 5 stars A juvenile that will deeply touch adults
First, this is one of the greatest arrays of juvenile acting talent I've seen. Jay Underwood leads the group in a poignant portrayal, ably supported by Lucy Deakins... Read more

Published on Aug 8 2002 by Neal C. Reynolds

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