That's What I Am (Blu-Ray)

It's a feel good movie. A touch of reality. I agree with the other reviewer, the acting was just that, kids acting most of the parts. All in all, it was a wonderful family movie. Taking a stand for others isn't very popular these days. I hope that this movie will entice children and adults to stick up for each other and not allow bullies to do their thing.

That's What I Am is a tricky movie to rate. My wife didn't like it much, but I did -- and for totally different reasons. Let's talk about different aspects that were good and bad.

The Good:

Story
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The story is quite good and, for many people, easily relatable. A boy who is on the verge of being one of the "cool" kids has a choice to make. He can do what is right and end up with the nerds (i.e. those who will succeed) or do what is wrong and be liked by the bad boys and, better yet, the bad girls.

As with many of us, his destiny is written by how he toys around with the sides of good and evil in middle school.

Homosexual Message
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Tons of people will probably have lots to say about the homosexual message in the film. There's no overt gross stuff to show you in either homo- or heterosexual (I think there may be one kiss in the whole film and its heterosexual). But the film deals in part with homophobia as a tool to get across a message: Our public actions determine how we ought to be respected in a public setting. We can find fault with anyone, and it tends to be those with glaring faults who seem to get caught up in listing everyone else's.

If you are pro-homosexual, anti-homosexual or don't care, I think you'll find the message mostly unoffensive and even inspire conversation in your house (as it did ours).

Ed Harris
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He sticks out like a sore thumb. He's such a brilliantly good actor and he gets you caught up in every scene. The directors and writers use him brilliantly to move you with the plot. And he commands such authority that it's easy to see him as the sage teacher he portrays.

The Not-So-Good:

Acting
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Most of the actors in the film are children. And most of it is pretty rough. The lead actors are decent for the most part. But don't expect anything more than you'd find on mid-day Disney.

The Conclusion(s)
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The movie ends a few too many times in a few too many places. The first time I thought the movie was ending was a full 30 minutes before it did. And then it skipped around a few endind points in the last 5 or 10 minutes. It's quite forgivable though, because they just keep tying off all of the loose ends. And the ending ending (as opposed to the non-ending endings) is quite enjoyable.

Overall:
Honestly, I'd never buy this film even though I liked it. It's probably a one-time-watch film. But I was glad that I did see it.

The movie started out wonderful and was very thought provoking BUT it is not something that should have been in the family section without a warning to parents of young children. If you have not had the "talk" with your children about all lifestyles and same sex relationships then be prepared to while watching this. I was disappointed that the subject matter came out of nowhere in this movie. It was my own fault for not reading the reviews carefully. I will watch the whole thing with my 14 year old when my younger one is at a sleepover.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 11 reviews  3.9 out of 5 stars