Tag: timothy hutton

See you later alligator! “Digging To China” (1998)

SashLeave a comment
directed by Timothy Hutton
© 1998 Moonstone Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.

I watched this film for Kevin Bacon. I was curious how we would manage to play such a difficult role. Well, he managed it pretty well. Kevin Bacon plays an adult man who is mentally disabled. Perhaps sometimes he was trying to be authentic slightly too much, but still, huge respect for accepting such role. And in the end, the film turned out to be very sweet, so if you’re having a bad day, I’m sure this production will comfort you. We already know the character of Kevin, but the main focus is on Harriet (Evan Rachel Wood), a small girl who is a total outsider. She’s not accepted by anyone, neither her peers nor her family. Then one day Harriet meets Ricky (Kevin Bacon), who is also separated from the world, but in a different way. Things get worse when Harriet’s mother (Cathy Moriarty) suddenly dies in a car accident and the girl stays with her older sister, Gwen (Mary Stuart Masterson). The two sisters (sort of sisters, but you will find out about this family mess watching the film) need to learn to live together and stand each other. As you may be guessing, it’s not easy for them and the small girl tries to run away from home as much as it’s possible. And despite the age gap and Ricky’s disability, those two become friends and try to do quite extraordinary things, like flying on a lawn chair attached to plenty of helium-filled balloons. It’s an adorable story about people rebuffed from society because of their oddness. Yet, even if they are differently odd, there’s one thing that connects them: social rejection. And it’s a very good reason to become friends. It’s a typical heart-warming Sunday film, enjoy.

My rating: 6/10
S.

SEP-PAH! “Iceman” (1984)

SashLeave a comment
directed by Fred Schepisi
© 1984 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

I was searching for something to watch and Netflix recommended me “Iceman.” I wasn’t sure why, because I’d never been interested in such productions. Well, life would be boring if we were watching only one type of films. Play pressed. We have two main characters. The first one is presented right away. His name is Stanley Shephard (Timothy Hutton) and he’s an anthropologist. Some explorers have invited him to join them since they’ve found a body. Not just any body. The man in the ice is probably about 40,000 years old. Imagine his upcoming birthday and the amount of candles on the cake. Sorry, I had to insert a bad joke. Moving on. Firstly, they want to thaw the body to perform an autopsy and learn as much as it’s possible about our ancestors. Fortunately or unfortunately, they manage to bring him to life instead. The iceman (John Lone) obviously freaks out, so the scientists decide to create an artificial environment for him, where they can keep observing his behaviour. However, Shephard doesn’t like the idea of treating the iceman as some kind of a lab rat and he tries to get closer to him. Both men do their best to communicate and learn about one another. At the beginning of this film I thought it’s adorable because it has some years and watching such productions always makes me melt inside. But then, when I saw the way they presented humanity in this production, I melted, froze and melted again. Absolutely fantastic idea. This film is a proof that you don’t need special effects and a bunch of superheroes to spread an important message. Perhaps some people see just a silly drama about a caveman, but I’m sure there are a few who can reflect on their humanity after watching it. I also need to mention John Lone for his creation of Charlie (the iceman). I honestly thought this man is 40,000 years old and he’s learning how to communicate. John Lone let me forget it’s a film and that’s something I appreciate a lot.

My rating: 7.5/10
S.