- Actors: Gena Rowlands, Kevin Zegers, David Schofield, Leslie Hope, Cameron Daddo
- Directors: Paul Johansson
- Writers: Paul Johansson
- Producers: Chad Oakes, Gordon Gilbertson, Gregory Mackenzie, Jana Edelbaum, Jim Reeve
- Format: Color, DVD-Video, NTSC, Import
- Language: English
- Region: (US and Canada This DVD will probably NOT be viewable in other countries. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
- Number of discs: 1
- MPAA Rating:
- Studio: Showtime Ent.
- Release Date: Mar 30 2004
- Run Time: 102 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00014NEBW
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Product Details |
Product Description
From the Studio
Charlie, (Kevin Zegers) with a troubled home life and a penchant for trouble, runs with a wrong crowd that constantly gets him in trouble. When his friends steal an older woman's purse, the school principal (James Caan) sees the boy fleeing the scene. He will not involve the friends and chooses to take the blame for the crime. In a meeting with his parents the principal offers Charlie an alternative to expulsion by working for Mrs. Ritchie (Gena Rowlands), the woman he robbed, until his debt is paid off. Under her guidance, Charlie learns valuable life lessons enabling him to finally confront the problems and dark secrets within his own family.
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Saved by Gena Rowlands
July 13 2004
Format:DVD
This is a fairly common story of a troubled teen coming of age. The problem is, there isn't much for him to come to age to, as there's nothing terribly new or original. In other words, it's a dreaded "retread".
The plotline was weak, and Charlie's (Kevin Zegers) travails with the "bad boys" in the beginning, which were supposed to introduce us to his harsher personality, were silly and unbelievable. Regarding these "bad boys", they looked more like the geeks they were teasing. I wouldn't have been intimidated by any of them in high school, even if I was a Freshman and they were Seniors.
Gena Rowlands saved this film from obscurity, as did Kevin Zegers, though to a lesser extent. He's clearly trying to add depth to his acting career, and that's terrific. There's still some room for him to grow. Gena Rowlands is *always* terrific. Her warmth infected and graced the entire film.
For all it's failings, it was still an emotionally evocative film at times, with one profoundly moving event at the end of the film. And Charlie did experience growth, which helped him put his family back together.
However, that's the biggest problem I had with the film. Without giving anything away, Charlie wasn't the person that needed to put that family back together (regardless of the silly contrivance that was written in to make it seem as such). It was the mother and the father, because both are pretty horrible people on the inside, but all we see is a father played as a typical jerk, and mother played as a typical drunk. Again, nothing fresh or original about their characters.
Truly Moving!
July 13 2004
Format:DVD
While the storyline is a bit weak and seems scrambled, Gena Rowlands and Kevin Zegers (who plays the troubled teen) are superb! They both light up the screen with powerful, moving character acting that is unlike most films today. As the story plays out, the troubled young man has to struggle with anger and resentment towards his abusive parents all the while trying to find his place in this world and meaning of life. After a series of poor choices and getting caught, his school principal gives him the choice of being expelled from school or to pay penance for his actions by helping out Mrs. Ritchie (Gena Rowlands) and her two metally challenged sons. Mrs. Ritchie turns out to be an ailing old woman who hasn't quite got over her husband (who sometimes makes angelic appearances just at the right moments) who previously died.
As the movie moves forward, both characters learn valuable lessons from each other, and Zegers' character learns how to bring his family back together. While the acting is dynamic, the movie would be a complete flop without Zegers and Rowlands. The storyline isn't real solid and often leaves too many open questions. Yet, the film is well worth watching simply for the sake of watching the two great actors give life to dying characters. Truly one of my new favorites but only because of the acting. Worth seeing!
Excellently Acted
Mar 24 2004
Format:DVD
This is a surprisingly emotional and captivating flick. I found this movie to be somewhat cliche at times, but the fact is, I didn't really mind. The simple story and lovable characters drew me in and held me. Gena Rowlands in the title role was, as always, engaging and lovely to watch. The other actors did a fine job as well, but I was particularly intrigued by the rather convincing portrayal of Mrs. Ritchie's mentally challenged son by an unkown actor named Jeremy Raymond. This is a fine movie that can be enjoyed by all, I would strongly encourage everyone to check it out.
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