An excellent adaptation of the book, except . . .
Added 2/9/2007
. . . that it ends on a note of hope. If I remember correctly the book (which I read twenty years ago) ends in a kind of despair almost unheard of in books for young people. On the other hand, it's true that Alan grows up a lot in a short time and the desperately sad events at the end of the novel may well contribute to making him a strong and wise man.
Although this is a low-budget film, the acting of the principals could hardly be bettered.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Haas Lifts This Teen Melodrama
Added 4/26/2006
Normally, I wouldn't go for a movie centered around two young teens but this is well-done and one of the actors, Lukas Haas, is a veteran despite his age. (He was the little Amish boy in "Witness").
Haas is outstanding in here, particularly in conveying his feelings throughout the film. It's a story that could easily be trite or corny but winds up appealing with no unpleasant scenes overdone. That could have happened since the girl (Vanessa Zaoui) is a traumatized kid with several mental problems. Michael Gross and Amy Aquino, meanwhile, do a decent job of playing Jewish parents and it's nice to see a father portrayed in a positive light, for a change.
In summary, a good and somewhat underrated melodrama
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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All around great movie
Added 2/13/2001
This is something of a coming of age movie, where a young boy learns the meaning of friendship and that life isn't always going to be fair. It is a story that will be familier to any of us who were young teenagers striving to have a degree of independence. It also gives a glimpse of New York during the latter stages of World War II - German submarines are no longer prowling off the coast sinking ships, but there is still the periodic air raid drill to remind you that the war is still on-going.The cast all around is outstanding. The father charecter of Lukas Haas is exceptional. Mom reminds me of my mother in some or her mannerisms. The movie leaves you wondering if there will be a better day for Naomi and Alan. It should be in every family movie library.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Beautiful stroy
Added 2/29/2000
What a great movie~ I read the book in middle school, then discovered it was made into a movie. It is incredibly true to the book, with incredible performances by Lukas Haas and company.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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amazing movie - - wonderful
Added 8/9/1999
this movie was wonderful. it was educational about the war and the problem of predjudice--yet interesting and just a great movie to watch. - Danielle
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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An excellent adaptation of the book, except . . .
Added 2/9/2007
. . . that it ends on a note of hope. If I remember correctly the book (which I read twenty years ago) ends in a kind of despair almost unheard of in books for young people. On the other hand, it's true that Alan grows up a lot in a short time and the desperately sad events at the end of the novel may well contribute to making him a strong and wise man.
Although this is a low-budget film, the acting of the principals could hardly be bettered.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Haas Lifts This Teen Melodrama
Added 4/26/2006
Normally, I wouldn't go for a movie centered around two young teens but this is well-done and one of the actors, Lukas Haas, is a veteran despite his age. (He was the little Amish boy in "Witness").
Haas is outstanding in here, particularly in conveying his feelings throughout the film. It's a story that could easily be trite or corny but winds up appealing with no unpleasant scenes overdone. That could have happened since the girl (Vanessa Zaoui) is a traumatized kid with several mental problems. Michael Gross and Amy Aquino, meanwhile, do a decent job of playing Jewish parents and it's nice to see a father portrayed in a positive light, for a change.
In summary, a good and somewhat underrated melodrama
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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All around great movie
Added 2/13/2001
This is something of a coming of age movie, where a young boy learns the meaning of friendship and that life isn't always going to be fair. It is a story that will be familier to any of us who were young teenagers striving to have a degree of independence. It also gives a glimpse of New York during the latter stages of World War II - German submarines are no longer prowling off the coast sinking ships, but there is still the periodic air raid drill to remind you that the war is still on-going.The cast all around is outstanding. The father charecter of Lukas Haas is exceptional. Mom reminds me of my mother in some or her mannerisms. The movie leaves you wondering if there will be a better day for Naomi and Alan. It should be in every family movie library.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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