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Some of us will never understand why this boy-and-his-whale tale became the hit family film of 1993 and one of the bestselling videos of all time. But it is easy to see how clever marketing and a tear-jerking story could touch the hearts of kids and parents the world over, especially because the endangered Orca whale named Willy is such a majestic creature. The story couldn't be more conventional--it's like Old Yeller and The Black Stallion with a big sea mammal--but as the boy who comes to Willy's aid against the whale's exploitative owner, young Jason James Richter gives an appealing performance with which children can readily identify. After two sequels and an animated television series, this popular film also had a happy real-life ending: Keiko the whale (who plays Willy) recovered from failing health and was gradually trained to survive outside of captivity. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (29)

Freedom
The reason this film is so moving is because it is about freedom. We all value freedom and the human spirit longs to be free. Animals are born to run free, on the earth or in the sea. The thought of trapping a whale in a tank just large enough for dolphins seems rather cruel. So, we cheer on, as a 12-year-old spunky street kid makes freeing this beautiful Orca whale possible.

Jesse is the star of this movie and is at first a troubled kid who keeps thinking his mother will come back to take him home. Willy is the whale who was also taken from his family, so the two find common ground. When Willy saves Jesse's life, they form a bond of friendship and Jesse is the only one who can train the whale. The owner of the Pacific Northwest Aquatic Park plots to get insurance money by destroying the tank and when Jesse hears of the plans he has to race against time to save his friend.

The scenes of the Pacific Northwest are spectacular and the whales playfully dancing in the water is a pure display of joy. These are truly on of God's most magnificent creations. Keiko, a 7,000-pound Orca is the whale star, but they also have back-up from a full-sized "animatronic" whale. I could not tell the difference between the whales, it was that good.

One of the best parts of the film is when Jesse spends his pocket money to buy the whale his favorite treat, salmon. I just thought that showed Jesse's true character. While he acts tough on the outside, he seems to be fascinated with nature and animals and that brings out his more loving side.

Throughout the movie, the theme of family is very important and I think that might be why this film is such a favorite. There is a music video at the beginning of this video and there is also information for children about helping save whales from becoming extinct. Overall, I felt this was a great movie for children and adults and it teaches such great lessons: that we all need a family and that we should respect animals. I was captivated from beginning to end. A wonderful movie for all ages.

Classic Family Entertainment (Good For The Grownups, Too)
Young Jesse -- abandoned by his mother at an early age -- is a troubled kid. His antics keep his social worker and foster family worried and busy. He runs away, begs for spare change, steals food and spray paints graffiti on walls. His foster parents really love and care for him but Jesse resists them, believing that his mother will someday return.

Jesse's life takes a turn for the better when he encounters Willy, a giant orca, at a marine park nearby. Jesse's fascination with the whale leads to an emotional bond based, at least in part, on their similar circumstances. Willy misses his mother and, like Jesse, tends to 'act out' once in a while.

I saw "Free Willy" in 1993 when it was released in theatres. I remembered agreeing with the critics who praised it as great family entertainment and I'm happy to say that the film remains very effective today.

My niece (age 8) was thoroughly entertained by this movie but the younger children in the group were alienated by the somewhat advanced, dramatic themes of abandonment, responsibility and love. For what it's worth, I enjoyed the film immensely.

Over a decade since its release, "Free Willy" holds up quite well. I got "misty" and "choked up" throughout the desperate climactic rescue sequence that gives the movie its name. The opening sequence, during which Willy is captured, is also quite touching.

This is efficient storytelling offering a steady, sustained buildup to a thoroughly satisfying climax.

"Free Willy" also offers believable performances by all members of its small ensemble cast, including Michael Madsen, Michael Ironside, Lori Petty, Jason James Richter (as Jesse) and Keiko (as Willy).

i like it
i like this movie, it has pretty colors

Great Family film
I have this film, its really great for the family,amzing ending too that will shock us, just get this film for the family if u never saw it yet.

If you take it as fantasy...
The odd thing about Free Willy is that it's a film which makes money using a captive animal to do tricks--and it's about the evils of capturing animals to do tricks for money. The film came out at the same time as and with the same mentality of its partner-in-ideology Jurassic Park (using technology to make money by condemning the use of technology to make money).

If you can get over that, it's a beautiful piece of work. The best part is Basil Poledouris' wonderous score, which should have been released on its own without all the clutter of pop songs. ... Read more

Reviews (52)

Not Just Another Leo Movie
Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Barkin, and Robert De Niro star in the drama "This Boy's Life" about the true life of Tobias Woolf. This highly dramatic movie contains many shocking scenes that may become eye openers to some. Such intensity keeps the audience closely watching every second. The extreme of it forces the audience to feel what every character feels. More than just the excellent screenplay writing acts out this task. The cast and crew brilliantly perform their roles.

Every actor assists with the audience impacts with their wonderful performances. No one holds back a drop of emotion from their characters. Robert De Niro wonderfully plays a child abuser. Though few will like the character, he'll be remembered by many. Leonardo DiCaprio and Ellen Barkin brilliantly play the victims. This is more noticable in DiCaprio because the cruelty hits him the hardest. His closely-breaking-down parts are performed realisticly.

"This Boy's Life" is the movie for those who are looking for a power drama. Its impact will never be forgotten by anyone. Anyone who watches this movie will be entertained.

THIS BOY'S CHARMING MOVIE.
"This Boy's Life" is based on the autobiographical novel by Tobias Wolff. The movie follows the story of the young boy Toby "Jack" Wolff (Leonardo DiCaprio), a rebel boy who seems to dislike every school and every town that he is in. His mother Caroline (Ellen Barkin), an attractive single woman, keeps searching for a decent man that would take care of her and her son. She finally seems to know the One, when she meets Dwight Hansen (Robert De Niro), a respectful guy. But after a few months living with him, Caroline and Jack realize that Dwight is a bully with a strong need to dominate every one around him. So now things get difficult to both of them.

"This Boy's Life" is a charming drama with strong performances by the great Robert De Niro and the attractive Ellen Barkin, but Leonardo DiCaprio steals the show from them; I actually think that he was a better actor when he was younger, he is good now, but in this movie and in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" he was brilliant.

Anyway, "This Boy's Life" is an enjoyable film. If you like De Niro's work, DiCaprio's work or Ellen Barkin's work, then you should see this one.

Great Movie and one of DiCaprio's best works !!!
I am not sure what exactly T.Wolff and Michael Caton Jones wanted to say by the movie. Perhaps my understanding would be somewhat different, but my vision is that reducing it to a simple family violence story does not reveal the real drama. The movie is a desperate attempt to get out of this town, this social environment, it's a challenge to predestination. The whole town itself, Tobbias friends, abusive father in law are nothing more than decorations, cover images. They simply personify and represent what would have happened to Tobbias and his life had he decided to stay.

Great Movie and one of DiCaprio's best works !!!

Do Yourself A Favor: Read the Book.
This is one of those cases where the book is WAY better than the movie. The graphic gratuitous sex scenes are not in the book, and as Tobias Wolff himself has wondered, since signing over the rights, and I'm paraphrasing, "This is a story which is seen through a kid's eyes; How would the kid have known what was going on inside his Mother's bedroom?" It looks like the movie makers just wanted to throw in some gratuitous T & A garbage.
Another thing: in the book, Dwight, the father, is abusive, yes; however, he is also so pitiful and bumpkinesque that he evokes as much laughter as he does villification. In the movie, Dwight is a 2-dimension stereotypical alcoholic abuser and that's all.
Read the book.

True Dramatized Story
I was quite sad after finishing the book "This Boy's Life" because it was such a well written book about times past and innocence lost. I rushed to rent the movie from Blockbusters and was quite disappointed. Many details were missing and some were overly dramatized, such as the scene of the wedding night between Dwight and Toby's mother. Call me old timer, if you want, but I thought it was unnecessary to be so graphic since the book certainly didn't give the details of sodomy, although I should have expected it in Hollywood productions.

The book was far better. I don't suppose movies can quite capture the details of a book, perhaps only its essence. I must say the movie captures the essense well.

Also, it was listed as a True Story in the beginning of the movie. It should have been called True Dramatized Story instead. ... Read more

Reviews (85)

Black Comedy Better Left Gray
At times, PUMPKIN features a wonderfully, whimsical, fanciful sense of humor. The film pokes fun at possibly every popular convention associated to sorority life and classism ... even classism within classism, if that makes any sense. Arguably, it might be the best satire of the college campus Greek system ever made, not a pure comedy like ANIMAL HOUSE but true satire much in the vein of Woody Allen's earlier works ... but, sadly, that's not what the story is about.

Occasionally bold in its risks and probably prone to offend quite a few viewers, PUMPKIN is horribly uneven in its story, pacing, and, unfortunately, acting.

Christina Ricci as "the sexy Carolyn McDuffy" (product packaging's words, not mine) does her best to elevate a rather standard fare about the perfect wealthy sorority girl inadvertantly finding her soulmate with the physically challenged 'Pumpkin' (of the film's title), but hackneyed seriousness thrown smack dab in the middle of obvious farce weighs this film down consistently in keeping it from becoming a "message film" ... that is, unless you want to agree that "sorority girls" are bad influences on society.

Even the most purile viewer won't accept so elementary a message in so obtuse a package.

The story veers all over the map. Ricci falls in and out of love with Pumpkin, her hunk fraternity tennis pro, her sorority life, her social life, etc. At times, she oozes elegance while balancing bubbleheadedness. Finally, she teeters on the brink of self-discovery, leading herself to a scene where she apparently attempts suicide ... but only ends up looking tired and unkempt. The interesting subplots (an absolutely hysterical foul-mouthed poetry teacher and her mismatched friendship with the overly plump) are left on the roadsides. Did the writer and/or director have any intention by introducing them into the script, or were they forever destined to be dangling, unanswered questions?

The viewer will never know, as the film certainly won't warrant a "Director's Cut."

Had more time been spent on the cohesiveness of the story and less on the stand-alone segments that actually work, PUMPKIN might've had the chance to be much more than what it ends up ... and perhaps that's a larger metaphor that first-time writer/directors Broder and Abrams were postulating. Several more hours drafts out of the PC might've spruced this film so that it would've minimally surfaced as an underground favorite -- a cult film, of an odd sort -- because their hearts were in the right place. A farcical feel-good movie would find a spot on any cinema buff's shelf.

However, this PUMPKIN is better left in the patch.

What a great film!
This film is a biting satire that casts an irreverant look at the "kind" way society treats the disabled, or the "challenged". At the same time it is warm, human - and just plain funny.

All is well with the world - just as long as everyone keeps their assigned place in the social order : the gracious givers of charity, the grateful recipients. The Helpers and the Helped. What would happen if people would dare to step out of their roles?

Ricci plays a naive blonde sorority girl whose life up to now has been "perfect". Now she is faced with the task of coaching a disabled young man for the special olympics. Ricci is horrified. She wants nothing to do with such unpleasantness. But she has no choice. After a remarkably unsuccesful start to her coaching carreer, Ricci begins to see her young trainee in a different light - and this experience turns her whole picture perfect world on it's head.

The film is full of wonderful characters - Ricci with her incredible naivite, Pumpkin - the young disabled man struggling to find his own voice, Ricci's boyfriend - a dashing college tennis star and heartbreaker who is also a very decent person. The characters are rich and multilayered - even those portrayed in a mostly negative light have moments where their humanity shines clearly through. I suspect that viewers who are parents of disabled will find the depiction of Pumpkin's mother unpleasant, to say the least. But look beyond the first layer, and you will see a woman who defends herself from her own sorrow by shielding her son from life - unfortunately, beyond what he needs or wants.

Sharp barbs are tossed at everyone - except at Pumpkin. Never.

As sharp as the satire is, the overall tone is warm and uplifting. Many hilarious moments abound, including a brief and hysterically funny counseling session.

Two films that came to mind when watching this were "the House of Yes", with a somewhat similar humor, and "Harold and Maude" with a theme not unlike "Pumpkin"'s. I think viewers who liked these would like Pumpkin very much.

More stars than are alotted.
The first thing I noticed watching this movie was that Christina Ricci's nipples were seemingly always erect. The second thing was that this was the best movie I've seen in a while. I suppose it was a bit over the top sardonically in nature, but taken as an intentional mawkish view of college life through the eyes of a superficial sorority sister, it came across as the writers/director intended and well-done at that I might add. I mean it featured Emiliana Torrini singing a beautiful rendition of an old Rod McKuen poem(what could be more ridiculous than him?!?!) in a haunting and Bjorkesque old scratched up record sort of way, what else would one expect from Pumpkin? Gone with the Wind it isn't. Thank God. But a pleasant surprise it is.

A monstruous and contrived, almost outwardly-mocking relationship between a rich, prep-school college sorority girl and a handicapped man turns into a love story gone wrong, err...right. It starts as a sisterhood pledge to win some coveted trophy by helping challenged athletes, but Ricci's shallow character soon falls for Pumpkin who is the antipode of her jam-it-in-and-kiss-later stud-jock-boyfriend.

The love story is very sweet, despite it being "improper" and to everyone's disdain, but finally leads to her loss of social standing and subsequently a once-promising life tailspinning into oblivion and hopeless loss. 6 stars out of 5.

Dissapointing
I am a huge Christina Ricci fan, however this film dissapointed me. The attempts at comedy seemed awkward and seemed to come at the most dramatic times of the movie. It just didn't *flow*. Oh, and while we're on the topic of comedy, the only funny parts of the whole movie were those shown in the trailer.

Christina wasn't beleivable as a sorority girl. The personalities of the characters were inconsistant -- one moment they were snobby and shallow the next caring, and then shallow again. She seems to have fallen in love with Pumpkin after one day of frisbee tossing.

I was confused also with the time period of the movie. I'm assuming it was meant to be modern day (it says "not long ago" in the very begining and she drives a Wolkswagen that wasn't too old) yet thats about all that suggests that. The hair and clothes are dated and so is the music they listen to. The movie seemed to portray a sorority in the 60's.

On a positive note, although Pumpkin had very few lines, the camera really captured his soul. That's a good thing since the script and overall flow of the story didn't. I feel his character could have really been developed better, however it seems they were too busy at desperate attempts for a laugh. Another plus was the fact that the film was very colorful and beautiful to watch. That's about the only thing that kept me watching.

The end was dissapointing and confusing. The entire movie shows how a "normal" person and a mentally handicapped person can fall in love and connect on a deep emotional level. However, at the very end, one becomes disturbed when Carolyn asks pumkin grade-school question about metaphors and he obviously doesn't understand. She gives this, "what am i getting myself into" look to the camera as the walk off into the sunset. This seems to go against everything the movie was trying to say about two people in love and made me uncomfortable. It seemed to hint that Carolyn will spend her life being Pumpkin's mother rather than lover.

You can tell that this movie was meant to make some sort of an impact, but seemed to take a wrong turn after the first ten minutes.

Who needs character develpoment? Look Deeper.
Despite the obvious lack of character development, which it hardly needed, this movie was very touching, and at times funny, but not from the "American Pie" point of view that it seemed to be billed as in the previews. In truth the movie was not at all what it seemed, a shallow attempt at risky comedy, in fact I found it quite profound, and at times a bit deep. One of the points that reviewers have stated is that the movie needed more character development, and to that I ask where? With the exception of Pumpkin and at times Carolyn, all the characters where shallow, ignorant, and very stereotypical Southern California rich yuppies who care more about appearances and judge people by them rather than what is inside. And, in reality, that is all the story is about. Pumpkin, who is slightly mentally challenged, is really more introverted than retarded, this from years of repression from his shallow mother. Enter Carolyn, who despite being extremely intelligent, finds herself fitting in with the shallow crowd, being popular, vice being herself, but this separates her from the rest of the characters who, though popular, really have no moral standing and are too quick to judge the new romance between Carolyn and Pumpkin. In the end, though, we find that she has been the inspiration to all of the characters and amazingly, and painfully, they all learn a little something from her and finally begin to see though the shallowness of their past.
On a stranger note, there was one particular quirk in the movie I must address, because, from a humor stand point it is pretty funny, but from a drama/realistic stand point, not so much. After Carolyn's ex is humiliated by Pumpkin at the dance, he, the ex, runs off to his car. His car appears to be a charger or some other car of a similar make. He swerves, and next thing you see is supposed to be his car flying off the cliff, however it's a limo now, which after a few seconds bursts into flames and crashes on the rocks below. The next day he is in the hospital, not a scratch, bruise or burn on his body. So, was this a metaphor? a dream? a bit of "Hollywood" joking? or jus bad film making? I also found a bit of interest in the look of the film, how the characters all looked to be from the late 50's or 60's and a line that Carolyn says at the dance "Pumpkin's not riding on the back of the bus any more", seems to point that the movie may have originally been written as a interracial work, but as that is not the hot topic it once was, it was rewritten to be a bit racier by today's standards. But maybe it's just me. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Decent flick with ok dialouge, not quite IFC standards
This movie has a very interesting and styleistic opening scene and following scenes but they dont really go anywhere, it just sort of flows on. One may not expect much change and matureing to happen at a mental insitution, but still, its a movie. The main guy is not too beleaveable execept when he fights, not at just being and suffering within himself. The best performances are by Don Cheatle, the quiet Indian/Mexican kid (he was excelent), and the big and rowdy wigger. The ending lacks visual breakthrough and could have been better, if it was a bit darker and had a different male lead.

-
Manic is experimental and unique. The acting was superb as was the writing. The characters were believable and not too perfect to seem made up. It was imaginative and creative which means that most of the people who actually do see the movie will not be able to understand or appreciate it completely.

a teenaged One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
This is a great movie, by a VERY talented first time director, which grabs you from the brilliant opening credit sequence and never lets go. This film works on so many different levels, I don't understand how it was so overlooked by the arthouse crowd. The performances, the miniDV cinematography, the score...the script...it's all right on the money. Buy it or rent it...JUST WATCH IT. You won't be sorry.

Teen manic depressants: A misunderstood population
I recently saw this movie and, overall, I thought it was good. It is about America's troubled teens who, unfortunately, have issues with suffering from biopolar and depression.

My own thoughts are that many of the youths (movie) come from unfortunate circumstances, i.e., emotional, physical, sexual and, later in their lives, they carry some of those "negative learned behaviors" in critical life stages, such as, early teens, early adulthood, and, for some who are unfortunate, into their adult lives.

In the movie, the troubled teens are in a residential facility for behavioral treatment (counseling, therapy, medication). And they all struggle with their physical and emotional conditions. It is, if anything can be said of these youths, a very difficult condition to treat; it is going to take time and a great deal of patience.

Don Cheadle performs well as a child psychologist. I enjoyed his interaction in keeping it real, despite all the turmoils and outbursts. I take off my hat to him for doing a great acting job; I also hold the opinion that the youth actors did a great job in their respective roles.

A great film most will not see
I've been waiting on Manic since it was in production, so I've had a long wait. I must say it was worth it.

I really have no complaints about the film; the acting was great, especially from Joseph Gordon-Levitt- who really proves what a good actor he is, Don Cheadle, and Zooey Deschanel. The story seems very accurate, haunting, and at times heartbreaking, as it paints a very realistic picture of teens with problems. There's no fluff here.

Direction was great. Jordan Melamed's debut proved to be a good one- and I look forward to more by this unknown director. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

SENSITIVE HEARTS
The summer of nineteen fifty-five is a very good year. America has been out of the war for a decade and suburbia is taking it by a storm. Little boys play cowboys and Indians but many play soldiers against the Japanese. All is well in this little suburban island of tranquility.

Yes, all is well until Johnathan, our young hero, has to deal with a Japanese girl who comes to live with his family as she faces plastic surgery to repair her face from the effects of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima. Her very presence touches the lives not only of Johnathan's family but the community.

Watch Johnathan as he attempts to solidify his friendship with his friends and deal with their prejudices. See his father's motivations be questioned by his wife as she asks is it "fair" to have the girl their for his own cause against the prejudices of his neighbors.

Hiroshima Maiden forces us to deal with the nature of prejudice and its impact on children as well as adults. All to often, adults are just as prejudiced as children in using others for their own motivations no matter how noble they seem. The young actress portraying the scarred Japanese teenager gives a sensitive and heartening performance. You feel her embarrassment of being disfigured and being seen as the outsider. Her inner spiritual strength comes through as she copes with this American family.

Johnathan, our hero, is a boy who for awhile is pressured by his peer group to go along with them in keeping an eye on the Japanese spy. After living with his guest he begins to move beyond his prejudices and see her for the person that she is. And the parents? They are another story. See what they decide in this wonderful film of respect, reconciliation and Love.

Excellent treatment of difficult subject
Hiroshima Maiden tells of the first days of a Japanese girl in America. The girl (Tamlyn Tomita) has been scarred by the atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima. She is in this country for plastic surgery and is staying with an American family. The film centers around the impact of Tomita's charecter on the family she is staying with and also the neighborhood in which they live. The charecters are well developed and extremely believeable. Tomita is exceptional as a young girl, scarred in war and facing hostility in her own country and America. One scene of the family and Tomita on a picnic in the park is particularly significant as it shows the reaction of Americans outside of the immediate family. Hiroshima Maiden is something of a coming of age film for the young male lead. He has to make choices that may not and do not make him popular with his buddies and other parents. His adjustment to the visitor to his home rings true as he moves from hostility and suspicion to understanding and friendship with Tomita's charecter. Overall, a very well crafted film dealing with a topic that is still resonating in this country as well as Japan. Maybe it is time for a revival of this film since it was first released more than a decade ago. ... Read more

Reviews (52)

Not Just Another Leo Movie
Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Barkin, and Robert De Niro star in the drama "This Boy's Life" about the true life of Tobias Woolf. This highly dramatic movie contains many shocking scenes that may become eye openers to some. Such intensity keeps the audience closely watching every second. The extreme of it forces the audience to feel what every character feels. More than just the excellent screenplay writing acts out this task. The cast and crew brilliantly perform their roles.

Every actor assists with the audience impacts with their wonderful performances. No one holds back a drop of emotion from their characters. Robert De Niro wonderfully plays a child abuser. Though few will like the character, he'll be remembered by many. Leonardo DiCaprio and Ellen Barkin brilliantly play the victims. This is more noticable in DiCaprio because the cruelty hits him the hardest. His closely-breaking-down parts are performed realisticly.

"This Boy's Life" is the movie for those who are looking for a power drama. Its impact will never be forgotten by anyone. Anyone who watches this movie will be entertained.

THIS BOY'S CHARMING MOVIE.
"This Boy's Life" is based on the autobiographical novel by Tobias Wolff. The movie follows the story of the young boy Toby "Jack" Wolff (Leonardo DiCaprio), a rebel boy who seems to dislike every school and every town that he is in. His mother Caroline (Ellen Barkin), an attractive single woman, keeps searching for a decent man that would take care of her and her son. She finally seems to know the One, when she meets Dwight Hansen (Robert De Niro), a respectful guy. But after a few months living with him, Caroline and Jack realize that Dwight is a bully with a strong need to dominate every one around him. So now things get difficult to both of them.

"This Boy's Life" is a charming drama with strong performances by the great Robert De Niro and the attractive Ellen Barkin, but Leonardo DiCaprio steals the show from them; I actually think that he was a better actor when he was younger, he is good now, but in this movie and in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" he was brilliant.

Anyway, "This Boy's Life" is an enjoyable film. If you like De Niro's work, DiCaprio's work or Ellen Barkin's work, then you should see this one.

Great Movie and one of DiCaprio's best works !!!
I am not sure what exactly T.Wolff and Michael Caton Jones wanted to say by the movie. Perhaps my understanding would be somewhat different, but my vision is that reducing it to a simple family violence story does not reveal the real drama. The movie is a desperate attempt to get out of this town, this social environment, it's a challenge to predestination. The whole town itself, Tobbias friends, abusive father in law are nothing more than decorations, cover images. They simply personify and represent what would have happened to Tobbias and his life had he decided to stay.

Great Movie and one of DiCaprio's best works !!!

Do Yourself A Favor: Read the Book.
This is one of those cases where the book is WAY better than the movie. The graphic gratuitous sex scenes are not in the book, and as Tobias Wolff himself has wondered, since signing over the rights, and I'm paraphrasing, "This is a story which is seen through a kid's eyes; How would the kid have known what was going on inside his Mother's bedroom?" It looks like the movie makers just wanted to throw in some gratuitous T & A garbage.
Another thing: in the book, Dwight, the father, is abusive, yes; however, he is also so pitiful and bumpkinesque that he evokes as much laughter as he does villification. In the movie, Dwight is a 2-dimension stereotypical alcoholic abuser and that's all.
Read the book.

True Dramatized Story
I was quite sad after finishing the book "This Boy's Life" because it was such a well written book about times past and innocence lost. I rushed to rent the movie from Blockbusters and was quite disappointed. Many details were missing and some were overly dramatized, such as the scene of the wedding night between Dwight and Toby's mother. Call me old timer, if you want, but I thought it was unnecessary to be so graphic since the book certainly didn't give the details of sodomy, although I should have expected it in Hollywood productions.

The book was far better. I don't suppose movies can quite capture the details of a book, perhaps only its essence. I must say the movie captures the essense well.

Also, it was listed as a True Story in the beginning of the movie. It should have been called True Dramatized Story instead. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

It's entertainment, stupid
Don't expect any life changing experiences from watching this piece of cinematic fluff. Shout is banal, historically innaccurate and very predictable. So what. Not every movie needs to reveal some hidden truth or angst.

OK, so why two stars? The cast is very good, really a waste considering the script. Travolta gets top billing but the movie is really a vehicle for then teen heart-throbs Jamie Walters and Heather Graham. Predictable emotionally mixed-up bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks sets out to seduce the headmaster/warden's beautiful daughter for a bet. She's falls for him, someone spills the beans on the bet, she gets mad but he finally exposes his sensitive and vulnerable side, confesses that he has fallen in love with her, too...what tripe! The script doesn't make any exceesive demands on their acting abilities. But, who cares! Heather Graham is a babe worth watching.

Who ever did the shooting/directing of the movie knows their craft. The photography is excellent through out. The movie has that slick, deeply saturated color look...lot's of nice atmospheric shots with with simply perfect lighting. Add in the attractive cast and you have eye candy that is easy to enjoy.

My reaction to Shout reminds me of listening to Abba songs. So easy to pan and forget, yet a guilty pleasure to enjoy.

Travolta shines
Travolta in one of his efforts to go to Pulp Fiction...Travolta shines..Heather Graham is beautiful and Glenn Quinn also stars in a supporting role as Alan..though sometimes moronic its an ok view..Glenn Quinn also stars in Live Nude Girls, Campfire Tales, Dr. Giggles and Tv's Angel...Glenn Quinn died in 2002..December 3rd I think it is..so rest in happiness man..we will remember you

The movie SHOUT is amazing!
The movie SHOUT is amazing! It is a wonderful, funny, and exciting movie with terrific actors and fabulous rock-and-roll music! I reccomend this movie to anyone that enjoys music and great movies!

Good Movie
If you want a easy to follow, fun to watch movie, this is it. Travolta and Walters are great, and walters really brings the music to life and makes it seem realistic, like neone could play the way he plays. It was a good movie, and is worth watching

Good fun!
Some reviewers here seem far too critical. Our family accidentally chanced on a TV rendition of the move, and it was a lot of fun. Sure, it's not accurate historically and the plot is somewhat predictable (lots of movies out there are, including some classics), but acting, setting, mood, and story are well done, making this a good light-hearted evening watch. ... Read more

Amazon.com

While Urban Legends: Final Cut is not nearly as terrifying or inventive as some of its predecessors, the film does offer up a fairly suspenseful whodunit that fans of the teen horror genre will likely appreciate. Amy Mayfield, the film's heroine (played by fresh-faced Jennifer Morrison), is the daughter of an Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker trying to make a name for herself at Alpine University, "the greatest film school that ever existed." Along with several other students she is competing for the coveted Hitchcock award, which virtually guarantees the winner a successful career in Hollywood. When the film school's resident genius and likely winner of the award is found dead, suspicions arise. As other film students are killed off one by one, everyone becomes a suspect.Would someone kill to win the prestigious award?

While striving to be Hitchcockian in theme (as evidenced by its multiple references to the director himself), the film never quite moves beyond cliché. Many scenes are a little too reminiscent of other popular teen horror flicks like Scream (the anonymous masked killer, though not nearly as frightening), The Blair Witch Project (Amy is chased through desolate woods by her stalker), and Friday the 13th (Amy hides from the killer in a lake setting eerily similar to the one where Jason died so many years ago). These elements seem just a little worn out. Morrison gives a serviceable performance, and Loretta Devine, from the original Urban Legend, adds humor as a Foxy Brown-worshiping security guard. The film manages to keep you guessing until its conclusion, and a sequence set in an abandoned amusement park is truly creepy. But ultimately Urban Legends: Final Cut lacks the originality to make a name for itself among the many films of its genre.--Mindy Ruehmann ... Read more

Reviews (75)

Blood splat-horror movie buffs will love it!
URBAN LEGENDS:Final Cut lacks any suspense, but has its moments like SCREAM 3, since its a movie taken place in a movie set! I would recommend the original more because it is a mix of suspense and horror genre and it's great if you like to scream and be scared! The plot takes place at a college and Jennifer Morrison (Stir of Echoes) stars as Amy Mayfield who yearns for the Hitchcock award so she must make an excellent film to be awarded, but someone will just die for it more than she! Reese (Loretta Devine) from the original stars as a security guard as she did in the first one, where she acts like Coffee, her favorite movie cop! Joseph Lawerence (TV's Brotherly Love) stars as a wealthy student who seems to be Amy's agent on set and turns out to be a jerk that is always on his cell! Jessica Cauffiel (Valentine) stars as a horrible wannabe actress who isn't actually the best scream-queen in Amy's film that is based on urban legends! Well rent it or buy it and you'll probably enjoy it!

U L 2
I didn't know if I'd like this one. But, to my surprise it turned out to be a heak of a ride! The storyline was ok, the acting was fine, but the murder scenes are lame. But that doesn't ruin the film or my rating. The story was good.

The plot of the story is that a film student Amy Mayfeild [Jennifer Morrison] is away at Alpine University, a fil for young aspiring directors/film makers. It's that time of year to make the thesis films, and for the Hitchcock Award, which comes with $15,000 and a chance to make a film. Everyone is excited, so is Amy. But, as she starts production on her film, her cast and crew start to die, all from a killer killing people based on Urban Legends, the plot of Amy's film. This is made to seem that Amy is killing those people. Rent or buy the film, you wont be mad!!

DVD FEATURES:

The DVD has 7 deleted scenes [they are deleted because no one would have died until 25 minutes had passed], and a gag reel which has out takes, and bloopers. There are theatrical trailers, wide screen, and full screen versions, and more.

legends gone WRONG!
this 1 was nowhere close to being as good and original than the original. it barely even uses any legends what so ever to kill someone. not scary not even funny. not a good example of a slasher film. hell i wouldnt even call it that. its more of a pathedic mystery rather than horror. the only thing thats good about this is the killers costume is cool and hot eva mendez is a lesbian in this. to bad she dies. hell shes not the only one. this whole movie looks as if it was picked up as road kill and then got some cheap thrills added into it. in my opinion it made it even worse. completely flat and dead.

Lackluster Sequel
Urban Legends 2 takes place at a film school in which people are being murdered. This film fails on many levels. First, the thing that made the first film unique (having people die according to urban legends) doesn't happen that often in the film. It's done a couple of times but then the film just resorts to standard slasher movie attacks. Second, there are weak plot points that pop up from the unbelievable "twin" of a suicide victim and the fact that no one seems to want to track down people who have vanished. (For example, the heroine sees someone being murdered on a surveillance camera but looses the video tape evidence after being pursued by the killer. One would think that the campus security guard after having lived through some murders before would at least try to track down the person supposedly killed or investigate the scene of the alleged crime. She doesn't do either. She doesn't even deem it necessary to call the police to investigate the heroine's claim of being chased.) There's no way to guess who the killer is since there are no clues dropped along the way. About the only perk is at the very end of the film which I won't reveal, but it hardly makes up for the previous 86 minutes

If you like urban legends or a fairly good horror film, get the first Urban Legends movie and leave this one alone.

What the HELL?
If I had the choice of picking up a hard rock and bashing my head in, I would find the biggest boulder I could and bash away at my skull. I absolutely hated this movie, and I would give it zero stars if I could because that's exactly what it deserves. Some movies just don't need a sequel, and this movie is one of those films. Afterall, it's not like the first "Urban Legend" was Academy Award winning material, but I thought it was innovative at the time at least if nothing else. However, this sequel stinks, and hopefully they will be smart enough to go ahead and kill the franchise before it gets started. I would really hate to see an "Urban Legend 3 After the Final Cut". ... Read more

Reviews (29)

Freedom
The reason this film is so moving is because it is about freedom. We all value freedom and the human spirit longs to be free. Animals are born to run free, on the earth or in the sea. The thought of trapping a whale in a tank just large enough for dolphins seems rather cruel. So, we cheer on, as a 12-year-old spunky street kid makes freeing this beautiful Orca whale possible.

Jesse is the star of this movie and is at first a troubled kid who keeps thinking his mother will come back to take him home. Willy is the whale who was also taken from his family, so the two find common ground. When Willy saves Jesse's life, they form a bond of friendship and Jesse is the only one who can train the whale. The owner of the Pacific Northwest Aquatic Park plots to get insurance money by destroying the tank and when Jesse hears of the plans he has to race against time to save his friend.

The scenes of the Pacific Northwest are spectacular and the whales playfully dancing in the water is a pure display of joy. These are truly on of God's most magnificent creations. Keiko, a 7,000-pound Orca is the whale star, but they also have back-up from a full-sized "animatronic" whale. I could not tell the difference between the whales, it was that good.

One of the best parts of the film is when Jesse spends his pocket money to buy the whale his favorite treat, salmon. I just thought that showed Jesse's true character. While he acts tough on the outside, he seems to be fascinated with nature and animals and that brings out his more loving side.

Throughout the movie, the theme of family is very important and I think that might be why this film is such a favorite. There is a music video at the beginning of this video and there is also information for children about helping save whales from becoming extinct. Overall, I felt this was a great movie for children and adults and it teaches such great lessons: that we all need a family and that we should respect animals. I was captivated from beginning to end. A wonderful movie for all ages.

Classic Family Entertainment (Good For The Grownups, Too)
Young Jesse -- abandoned by his mother at an early age -- is a troubled kid. His antics keep his social worker and foster family worried and busy. He runs away, begs for spare change, steals food and spray paints graffiti on walls. His foster parents really love and care for him but Jesse resists them, believing that his mother will someday return.

Jesse's life takes a turn for the better when he encounters Willy, a giant orca, at a marine park nearby. Jesse's fascination with the whale leads to an emotional bond based, at least in part, on their similar circumstances. Willy misses his mother and, like Jesse, tends to 'act out' once in a while.

I saw "Free Willy" in 1993 when it was released in theatres. I remembered agreeing with the critics who praised it as great family entertainment and I'm happy to say that the film remains very effective today.

My niece (age 8) was thoroughly entertained by this movie but the younger children in the group were alienated by the somewhat advanced, dramatic themes of abandonment, responsibility and love. For what it's worth, I enjoyed the film immensely.

Over a decade since its release, "Free Willy" holds up quite well. I got "misty" and "choked up" throughout the desperate climactic rescue sequence that gives the movie its name. The opening sequence, during which Willy is captured, is also quite touching.

This is efficient storytelling offering a steady, sustained buildup to a thoroughly satisfying climax.

"Free Willy" also offers believable performances by all members of its small ensemble cast, including Michael Madsen, Michael Ironside, Lori Petty, Jason James Richter (as Jesse) and Keiko (as Willy).

i like it
i like this movie, it has pretty colors

Great Family film
I have this film, its really great for the family,amzing ending too that will shock us, just get this film for the family if u never saw it yet.

If you take it as fantasy...
The odd thing about Free Willy is that it's a film which makes money using a captive animal to do tricks--and it's about the evils of capturing animals to do tricks for money. The film came out at the same time as and with the same mentality of its partner-in-ideology Jurassic Park (using technology to make money by condemning the use of technology to make money).

If you can get over that, it's a beautiful piece of work. The best part is Basil Poledouris' wonderous score, which should have been released on its own without all the clutter of pop songs. ... Read more

Reviews (52)

Not Just Another Leo Movie
Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Barkin, and Robert De Niro star in the drama "This Boy's Life" about the true life of Tobias Woolf. This highly dramatic movie contains many shocking scenes that may become eye openers to some. Such intensity keeps the audience closely watching every second. The extreme of it forces the audience to feel what every character feels. More than just the excellent screenplay writing acts out this task. The cast and crew brilliantly perform their roles.

Every actor assists with the audience impacts with their wonderful performances. No one holds back a drop of emotion from their characters. Robert De Niro wonderfully plays a child abuser. Though few will like the character, he'll be remembered by many. Leonardo DiCaprio and Ellen Barkin brilliantly play the victims. This is more noticable in DiCaprio because the cruelty hits him the hardest. His closely-breaking-down parts are performed realisticly.

"This Boy's Life" is the movie for those who are looking for a power drama. Its impact will never be forgotten by anyone. Anyone who watches this movie will be entertained.

THIS BOY'S CHARMING MOVIE.
"This Boy's Life" is based on the autobiographical novel by Tobias Wolff. The movie follows the story of the young boy Toby "Jack" Wolff (Leonardo DiCaprio), a rebel boy who seems to dislike every school and every town that he is in. His mother Caroline (Ellen Barkin), an attractive single woman, keeps searching for a decent man that would take care of her and her son. She finally seems to know the One, when she meets Dwight Hansen (Robert De Niro), a respectful guy. But after a few months living with him, Caroline and Jack realize that Dwight is a bully with a strong need to dominate every one around him. So now things get difficult to both of them.

"This Boy's Life" is a charming drama with strong performances by the great Robert De Niro and the attractive Ellen Barkin, but Leonardo DiCaprio steals the show from them; I actually think that he was a better actor when he was younger, he is good now, but in this movie and in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" he was brilliant.

Anyway, "This Boy's Life" is an enjoyable film. If you like De Niro's work, DiCaprio's work or Ellen Barkin's work, then you should see this one.

Great Movie and one of DiCaprio's best works !!!
I am not sure what exactly T.Wolff and Michael Caton Jones wanted to say by the movie. Perhaps my understanding would be somewhat different, but my vision is that reducing it to a simple family violence story does not reveal the real drama. The movie is a desperate attempt to get out of this town, this social environment, it's a challenge to predestination. The whole town itself, Tobbias friends, abusive father in law are nothing more than decorations, cover images. They simply personify and represent what would have happened to Tobbias and his life had he decided to stay.

Great Movie and one of DiCaprio's best works !!!

Do Yourself A Favor: Read the Book.
This is one of those cases where the book is WAY better than the movie. The graphic gratuitous sex scenes are not in the book, and as Tobias Wolff himself has wondered, since signing over the rights, and I'm paraphrasing, "This is a story which is seen through a kid's eyes; How would the kid have known what was going on inside his Mother's bedroom?" It looks like the movie makers just wanted to throw in some gratuitous T & A garbage.
Another thing: in the book, Dwight, the father, is abusive, yes; however, he is also so pitiful and bumpkinesque that he evokes as much laughter as he does villification. In the movie, Dwight is a 2-dimension stereotypical alcoholic abuser and that's all.
Read the book.

True Dramatized Story
I was quite sad after finishing the book "This Boy's Life" because it was such a well written book about times past and innocence lost. I rushed to rent the movie from Blockbusters and was quite disappointed. Many details were missing and some were overly dramatized, such as the scene of the wedding night between Dwight and Toby's mother. Call me old timer, if you want, but I thought it was unnecessary to be so graphic since the book certainly didn't give the details of sodomy, although I should have expected it in Hollywood productions.

The book was far better. I don't suppose movies can quite capture the details of a book, perhaps only its essence. I must say the movie captures the essense well.

Also, it was listed as a True Story in the beginning of the movie. It should have been called True Dramatized Story instead. ... Read more

Reviews (29)

Freedom
The reason this film is so moving is because it is about freedom. We all value freedom and the human spirit longs to be free. Animals are born to run free, on the earth or in the sea. The thought of trapping a whale in a tank just large enough for dolphins seems rather cruel. So, we cheer on, as a 12-year-old spunky street kid makes freeing this beautiful Orca whale possible.

Jesse is the star of this movie and is at first a troubled kid who keeps thinking his mother will come back to take him home. Willy is the whale who was also taken from his family, so the two find common ground. When Willy saves Jesse's life, they form a bond of friendship and Jesse is the only one who can train the whale. The owner of the Pacific Northwest Aquatic Park plots to get insurance money by destroying the tank and when Jesse hears of the plans he has to race against time to save his friend.

The scenes of the Pacific Northwest are spectacular and the whales playfully dancing in the water is a pure display of joy. These are truly on of God's most magnificent creations. Keiko, a 7,000-pound Orca is the whale star, but they also have back-up from a full-sized "animatronic" whale. I could not tell the difference between the whales, it was that good.

One of the best parts of the film is when Jesse spends his pocket money to buy the whale his favorite treat, salmon. I just thought that showed Jesse's true character. While he acts tough on the outside, he seems to be fascinated with nature and animals and that brings out his more loving side.

Throughout the movie, the theme of family is very important and I think that might be why this film is such a favorite. There is a music video at the beginning of this video and there is also information for children about helping save whales from becoming extinct. Overall, I felt this was a great movie for children and adults and it teaches such great lessons: that we all need a family and that we should respect animals. I was captivated from beginning to end. A wonderful movie for all ages.

Classic Family Entertainment (Good For The Grownups, Too)
Young Jesse -- abandoned by his mother at an early age -- is a troubled kid. His antics keep his social worker and foster family worried and busy. He runs away, begs for spare change, steals food and spray paints graffiti on walls. His foster parents really love and care for him but Jesse resists them, believing that his mother will someday return.

Jesse's life takes a turn for the better when he encounters Willy, a giant orca, at a marine park nearby. Jesse's fascination with the whale leads to an emotional bond based, at least in part, on their similar circumstances. Willy misses his mother and, like Jesse, tends to 'act out' once in a while.

I saw "Free Willy" in 1993 when it was released in theatres. I remembered agreeing with the critics who praised it as great family entertainment and I'm happy to say that the film remains very effective today.

My niece (age 8) was thoroughly entertained by this movie but the younger children in the group were alienated by the somewhat advanced, dramatic themes of abandonment, responsibility and love. For what it's worth, I enjoyed the film immensely.

Over a decade since its release, "Free Willy" holds up quite well. I got "misty" and "choked up" throughout the desperate climactic rescue sequence that gives the movie its name. The opening sequence, during which Willy is captured, is also quite touching.

This is efficient storytelling offering a steady, sustained buildup to a thoroughly satisfying climax.

"Free Willy" also offers believable performances by all members of its small ensemble cast, including Michael Madsen, Michael Ironside, Lori Petty, Jason James Richter (as Jesse) and Keiko (as Willy).

i like it
i like this movie, it has pretty colors

Great Family film
I have this film, its really great for the family,amzing ending too that will shock us, just get this film for the family if u never saw it yet.

If you take it as fantasy...
The odd thing about Free Willy is that it's a film which makes money using a captive animal to do tricks--and it's about the evils of capturing animals to do tricks for money. The film came out at the same time as and with the same mentality of its partner-in-ideology Jurassic Park (using technology to make money by condemning the use of technology to make money).

If you can get over that, it's a beautiful piece of work. The best part is Basil Poledouris' wonderous score, which should have been released on its own without all the clutter of pop songs. ... Read more

Reviews (75)

Blood splat-horror movie buffs will love it!
URBAN LEGENDS:Final Cut lacks any suspense, but has its moments like SCREAM 3, since its a movie taken place in a movie set! I would recommend the original more because it is a mix of suspense and horror genre and it's great if you like to scream and be scared! The plot takes place at a college and Jennifer Morrison (Stir of Echoes) stars as Amy Mayfield who yearns for the Hitchcock award so she must make an excellent film to be awarded, but someone will just die for it more than she! Reese (Loretta Devine) from the original stars as a security guard as she did in the first one, where she acts like Coffee, her favorite movie cop! Joseph Lawerence (TV's Brotherly Love) stars as a wealthy student who seems to be Amy's agent on set and turns out to be a jerk that is always on his cell! Jessica Cauffiel (Valentine) stars as a horrible wannabe actress who isn't actually the best scream-queen in Amy's film that is based on urban legends! Well rent it or buy it and you'll probably enjoy it!

U L 2
I didn't know if I'd like this one. But, to my surprise it turned out to be a heak of a ride! The storyline was ok, the acting was fine, but the murder scenes are lame. But that doesn't ruin the film or my rating. The story was good.

The plot of the story is that a film student Amy Mayfeild [Jennifer Morrison] is away at Alpine University, a fil for young aspiring directors/film makers. It's that time of year to make the thesis films, and for the Hitchcock Award, which comes with $15,000 and a chance to make a film. Everyone is excited, so is Amy. But, as she starts production on her film, her cast and crew start to die, all from a killer killing people based on Urban Legends, the plot of Amy's film. This is made to seem that Amy is killing those people. Rent or buy the film, you wont be mad!!

DVD FEATURES:

The DVD has 7 deleted scenes [they are deleted because no one would have died until 25 minutes had passed], and a gag reel which has out takes, and bloopers. There are theatrical trailers, wide screen, and full screen versions, and more.

legends gone WRONG!
this 1 was nowhere close to being as good and original than the original. it barely even uses any legends what so ever to kill someone. not scary not even funny. not a good example of a slasher film. hell i wouldnt even call it that. its more of a pathedic mystery rather than horror. the only thing thats good about this is the killers costume is cool and hot eva mendez is a lesbian in this. to bad she dies. hell shes not the only one. this whole movie looks as if it was picked up as road kill and then got some cheap thrills added into it. in my opinion it made it even worse. completely flat and dead.

Lackluster Sequel
Urban Legends 2 takes place at a film school in which people are being murdered. This film fails on many levels. First, the thing that made the first film unique (having people die according to urban legends) doesn't happen that often in the film. It's done a couple of times but then the film just resorts to standard slasher movie attacks. Second, there are weak plot points that pop up from the unbelievable "twin" of a suicide victim and the fact that no one seems to want to track down people who have vanished. (For example, the heroine sees someone being murdered on a surveillance camera but looses the video tape evidence after being pursued by the killer. One would think that the campus security guard after having lived through some murders before would at least try to track down the person supposedly killed or investigate the scene of the alleged crime. She doesn't do either. She doesn't even deem it necessary to call the police to investigate the heroine's claim of being chased.) There's no way to guess who the killer is since there are no clues dropped along the way. About the only perk is at the very end of the film which I won't reveal, but it hardly makes up for the previous 86 minutes

If you like urban legends or a fairly good horror film, get the first Urban Legends movie and leave this one alone.

What the HELL?
If I had the choice of picking up a hard rock and bashing my head in, I would find the biggest boulder I could and bash away at my skull. I absolutely hated this movie, and I would give it zero stars if I could because that's exactly what it deserves. Some movies just don't need a sequel, and this movie is one of those films. Afterall, it's not like the first "Urban Legend" was Academy Award winning material, but I thought it was innovative at the time at least if nothing else. However, this sequel stinks, and hopefully they will be smart enough to go ahead and kill the franchise before it gets started. I would really hate to see an "Urban Legend 3 After the Final Cut". ... Read more

Reviews (52)

Not Just Another Leo Movie
Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Barkin, and Robert De Niro star in the drama "This Boy's Life" about the true life of Tobias Woolf. This highly dramatic movie contains many shocking scenes that may become eye openers to some. Such intensity keeps the audience closely watching every second. The extreme of it forces the audience to feel what every character feels. More than just the excellent screenplay writing acts out this task. The cast and crew brilliantly perform their roles.

Every actor assists with the audience impacts with their wonderful performances. No one holds back a drop of emotion from their characters. Robert De Niro wonderfully plays a child abuser. Though few will like the character, he'll be remembered by many. Leonardo DiCaprio and Ellen Barkin brilliantly play the victims. This is more noticable in DiCaprio because the cruelty hits him the hardest. His closely-breaking-down parts are performed realisticly.

"This Boy's Life" is the movie for those who are looking for a power drama. Its impact will never be forgotten by anyone. Anyone who watches this movie will be entertained.

THIS BOY'S CHARMING MOVIE.
"This Boy's Life" is based on the autobiographical novel by Tobias Wolff. The movie follows the story of the young boy Toby "Jack" Wolff (Leonardo DiCaprio), a rebel boy who seems to dislike every school and every town that he is in. His mother Caroline (Ellen Barkin), an attractive single woman, keeps searching for a decent man that would take care of her and her son. She finally seems to know the One, when she meets Dwight Hansen (Robert De Niro), a respectful guy. But after a few months living with him, Caroline and Jack realize that Dwight is a bully with a strong need to dominate every one around him. So now things get difficult to both of them.

"This Boy's Life" is a charming drama with strong performances by the great Robert De Niro and the attractive Ellen Barkin, but Leonardo DiCaprio steals the show from them; I actually think that he was a better actor when he was younger, he is good now, but in this movie and in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" he was brilliant.

Anyway, "This Boy's Life" is an enjoyable film. If you like De Niro's work, DiCaprio's work or Ellen Barkin's work, then you should see this one.

Great Movie and one of DiCaprio's best works !!!
I am not sure what exactly T.Wolff and Michael Caton Jones wanted to say by the movie. Perhaps my understanding would be somewhat different, but my vision is that reducing it to a simple family violence story does not reveal the real drama. The movie is a desperate attempt to get out of this town, this social environment, it's a challenge to predestination. The whole town itself, Tobbias friends, abusive father in law are nothing more than decorations, cover images. They simply personify and represent what would have happened to Tobbias and his life had he decided to stay.

Great Movie and one of DiCaprio's best works !!!

Do Yourself A Favor: Read the Book.
This is one of those cases where the book is WAY better than the movie. The graphic gratuitous sex scenes are not in the book, and as Tobias Wolff himself has wondered, since signing over the rights, and I'm paraphrasing, "This is a story which is seen through a kid's eyes; How would the kid have known what was going on inside his Mother's bedroom?" It looks like the movie makers just wanted to throw in some gratuitous T & A garbage.
Another thing: in the book, Dwight, the father, is abusive, yes; however, he is also so pitiful and bumpkinesque that he evokes as much laughter as he does villification. In the movie, Dwight is a 2-dimension stereotypical alcoholic abuser and that's all.
Read the book.

True Dramatized Story
I was quite sad after finishing the book "This Boy's Life" because it was such a well written book about times past and innocence lost. I rushed to rent the movie from Blockbusters and was quite disappointed. Many details were missing and some were overly dramatized, such as the scene of the wedding night between Dwight and Toby's mother. Call me old timer, if you want, but I thought it was unnecessary to be so graphic since the book certainly didn't give the details of sodomy, although I should have expected it in Hollywood productions.

The book was far better. I don't suppose movies can quite capture the details of a book, perhaps only its essence. I must say the movie captures the essense well.

Also, it was listed as a True Story in the beginning of the movie. It should have been called True Dramatized Story instead. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

great book, BAD MOVIE
They took a great book and turned it into an unwatchable movie. any fan of John Fante (author of the book) should not see this.. IT WAS HORRIBLE. i wish there was someway to go back and take the name off of it. READ THE BOOK by Fante. dont watch the movie

Wait Until You Can't Sleep...
...Then watch this movie. Joe Mantenga is an immigrant brick layer who married above his social class. His Tuscan wife suffers with the children as Mantenga attempts to earn a living, a struggle nearly as hard as watching this film. Mantenga finds a job and a meal ticket when wealthy Faye Dunaway hires him for a small job but wants to keep him around. This film has two great actors, Faye Dunaway and Joe Mantegna but oddly the only one that shows any spark is Ornella Muti as Mantegna's wife. Not laughable or obnoxious, just plain dull. The actors are given nothing to do or say and that is a shame for them, and for anyone watching this film.

Faye at her worst
Faye Dunaway is one of my favorites, and I can enjoy just about anything she does, but this movie was really awful. In fact, I turned it off halfway through it was so bad. If a hardcore Dunaway fan can't tolerate it, no one can. ... Read more

Reviews (52)

Not Just Another Leo Movie
Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Barkin, and Robert De Niro star in the drama "This Boy's Life" about the true life of Tobias Woolf. This highly dramatic movie contains many shocking scenes that may become eye openers to some. Such intensity keeps the audience closely watching every second. The extreme of it forces the audience to feel what every character feels. More than just the excellent screenplay writing acts out this task. The cast and crew brilliantly perform their roles.

Every actor assists with the audience impacts with their wonderful performances. No one holds back a drop of emotion from their characters. Robert De Niro wonderfully plays a child abuser. Though few will like the character, he'll be remembered by many. Leonardo DiCaprio and Ellen Barkin brilliantly play the victims. This is more noticable in DiCaprio because the cruelty hits him the hardest. His closely-breaking-down parts are performed realisticly.

"This Boy's Life" is the movie for those who are looking for a power drama. Its impact will never be forgotten by anyone. Anyone who watches this movie will be entertained.

THIS BOY'S CHARMING MOVIE.
"This Boy's Life" is based on the autobiographical novel by Tobias Wolff. The movie follows the story of the young boy Toby "Jack" Wolff (Leonardo DiCaprio), a rebel boy who seems to dislike every school and every town that he is in. His mother Caroline (Ellen Barkin), an attractive single woman, keeps searching for a decent man that would take care of her and her son. She finally seems to know the One, when she meets Dwight Hansen (Robert De Niro), a respectful guy. But after a few months living with him, Caroline and Jack realize that Dwight is a bully with a strong need to dominate every one around him. So now things get difficult to both of them.

"This Boy's Life" is a charming drama with strong performances by the great Robert De Niro and the attractive Ellen Barkin, but Leonardo DiCaprio steals the show from them; I actually think that he was a better actor when he was younger, he is good now, but in this movie and in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" he was brilliant.

Anyway, "This Boy's Life" is an enjoyable film. If you like De Niro's work, DiCaprio's work or Ellen Barkin's work, then you should see this one.

Great Movie and one of DiCaprio's best works !!!
I am not sure what exactly T.Wolff and Michael Caton Jones wanted to say by the movie. Perhaps my understanding would be somewhat different, but my vision is that reducing it to a simple family violence story does not reveal the real drama. The movie is a desperate attempt to get out of this town, this social environment, it's a challenge to predestination. The whole town itself, Tobbias friends, abusive father in law are nothing more than decorations, cover images. They simply personify and represent what would have happened to Tobbias and his life had he decided to stay.

Great Movie and one of DiCaprio's best works !!!

Do Yourself A Favor: Read the Book.
This is one of those cases where the book is WAY better than the movie. The graphic gratuitous sex scenes are not in the book, and as Tobias Wolff himself has wondered, since signing over the rights, and I'm paraphrasing, "This is a story which is seen through a kid's eyes; How would the kid have known what was going on inside his Mother's bedroom?" It looks like the movie makers just wanted to throw in some gratuitous T & A garbage.
Another thing: in the book, Dwight, the father, is abusive, yes; however, he is also so pitiful and bumpkinesque that he evokes as much laughter as he does villification. In the movie, Dwight is a 2-dimension stereotypical alcoholic abuser and that's all.
Read the book.

True Dramatized Story
I was quite sad after finishing the book "This Boy's Life" because it was such a well written book about times past and innocence lost. I rushed to rent the movie from Blockbusters and was quite disappointed. Many details were missing and some were overly dramatized, such as th