I believe this film to be one of the most underrated films of all-time. This is probably the most touching story ever told, and is, at the core, a modernised re-telling of my favourite Disney animated feature, Pinocchio. The film was originally being made by Stanley Kubrick, but after his death during production, the project was passed on to Spielberg. For me, this is a match made in heaven, as these are possibly my two favourite directors of all-time.
In the not-so-far future the polar ice caps have melted and the resulting raise of the ocean waters has drowned all the coastal cities of the world. Withdrawn to the interior of the continents, the human race keeps advancing, reaching to the point of creating realistic robots (called mechas) to serve him. One of the mecha-producing companies builds David, an artificial kid which is the first to have real feelings, especially a never-ending love for his "mother", Monica. Monica is the woman who adopted him as a substitute for her real son, who remains in cryo-stasis, stricken by an incurable disease. David is living happily with Monica and her husband, but when their real son returns home after a cure is discovered, his life changes dramatically. Written by Chris Makrozahopoulos of imdb.com.
After nearly accidentally drowning their son, David is ruled "dangerous" by his adopted parents and abandoned in the middle of a forest. He is befriended by Gigolo Joe, a robot running from the law after being framed for murder, and together they escape destruction at the hands of humans. David is introduced to the story of Pinocchio, and is convinced that once he finds the "Blue Fairy", he will be made complete.
I have never cried more in a movie than I did in this one. The film's ending is by far the most heartbreaking ending I have ever seen, and remains a favourite of mine. Haley Joel Osment's performance as David, is bested only by Mary Badham's Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird as my favourite performance by a child actor. Jude Law gives my favourite performance of his, as Gigolo Joe, and uses quirky body movements and facial expressions to create a believable Joe. David's eternally loyal pal 'Teddy' is one of my favourite film characters ever made, and along with David, provides the heart and soul of the film.
As long as I live, I doubt there will ever be a film that will leave me as devastated with it's ending. Spielberg's trademark use of syrup has never been more heavy, and this is a film that only he could have made. Kubrick's fingerprints are also found throughout (primarily in the first half), but this is without a doubt Spielberg's film. This is one of a handful of films that I can only watch a limited amount of times because of the impact it has on me. I can only digest so much syrup in one serving.
© 2007 Kim Bartlett
In the not-so-far future the polar ice caps have melted and the resulting raise of the ocean waters has drowned all the coastal cities of the world. Withdrawn to the interior of the continents, the human race keeps advancing, reaching to the point of creating realistic robots (called mechas) to serve him. One of the mecha-producing companies builds David, an artificial kid which is the first to have real feelings, especially a never-ending love for his "mother", Monica. Monica is the woman who adopted him as a substitute for her real son, who remains in cryo-stasis, stricken by an incurable disease. David is living happily with Monica and her husband, but when their real son returns home after a cure is discovered, his life changes dramatically. Written by Chris Makrozahopoulos of imdb.com.
After nearly accidentally drowning their son, David is ruled "dangerous" by his adopted parents and abandoned in the middle of a forest. He is befriended by Gigolo Joe, a robot running from the law after being framed for murder, and together they escape destruction at the hands of humans. David is introduced to the story of Pinocchio, and is convinced that once he finds the "Blue Fairy", he will be made complete.
I have never cried more in a movie than I did in this one. The film's ending is by far the most heartbreaking ending I have ever seen, and remains a favourite of mine. Haley Joel Osment's performance as David, is bested only by Mary Badham's Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird as my favourite performance by a child actor. Jude Law gives my favourite performance of his, as Gigolo Joe, and uses quirky body movements and facial expressions to create a believable Joe. David's eternally loyal pal 'Teddy' is one of my favourite film characters ever made, and along with David, provides the heart and soul of the film.
As long as I live, I doubt there will ever be a film that will leave me as devastated with it's ending. Spielberg's trademark use of syrup has never been more heavy, and this is a film that only he could have made. Kubrick's fingerprints are also found throughout (primarily in the first half), but this is without a doubt Spielberg's film. This is one of a handful of films that I can only watch a limited amount of times because of the impact it has on me. I can only digest so much syrup in one serving.
© 2007 Kim Bartlett
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