... Whilst on this quest I stumbled upon a 1998 film called “The Mighty” which I had never heard of before. The plot summary suggested what might be a schmaltzy sentimental film but I thought we could give it a go.
“The Mighty” is based on the book “Freak the Mighty” written by Rodman Philbrick ... Read review
With his loving and supportive mother 13-year-old Kevin moves in next door to another ... more
teen Max. Though both have problems that label them as outcasts Kevin and Max discover that by proudly combining their strengths and uniting as one they can overc...
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Award-winning actress Sharon Stone (Sphere, Casino, Basic Instinct) and Gillian Anderson ... more
(The X-Files) star in this uplifting motion picture that's received overwhelming critical acclaim. With his loving and supportive mother (Stone), 13-year-old Kevin...
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they must face are known as the Mighty Four - four ruthless fighters each one better than the last.Super Kung Fu star Casanova Wong (Warriors Two) must rely on his trusted bootwork to put the villains to death.
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Belfast, works after school for Good Joe (Ken Stott), a local greyhound trainer. As Donal's talent with dogs becomes apparent he strikes a deal with Good Joe, to own a promising greyhound, The Mighty Celt, if he can train it to win three successive races.When O (Robert Carlyle), a strange and brooding figure from the town's past, reappears unexpectedly, his friendship with Donal begins to trouble Kate. She lets the friendship grow but when Good Joe goes back on his deal and tensions explode between him and O, Donal is forced to learn some harsh lessons about life and risks losing The Mighty Celt altogether.
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Quinn' by sarcastic islanders and nagged by a wife who'd rather he were babysitting, Quinn is suddenly thrust into action when his childhood friend Maubee is accused of murder. Forced to search for his elusive friend, Quinn meets up with a colourful array of suspects, including the dead man's beautiful mistress who dreams of being a lounge singer, an eccentric voodoo sorceress with snakes in her parlour and a mysterious American visitor with dubious intentions.
Production Year: 1998 - Drama - Director: Carl Franklyn, Carl Franklin - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Meryl Streep, William Hurt, Renee Zellweger, Tom Everett Scott, Nicky Katt, Lauren Graham
Production Year: 2007 - Drama - Director: Mike Binder - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Jada Pinkett, Liv Tyler, Saffron Burrows, Donald Sutherland, Mike Binder
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Drama - Director: Chazz Palminteri - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Susan Sarandon, Penelope Cruz, Paul Walker, Alan Arkin, Marcus Thomas, Donna Hanover, Robin Williams
Advantages: Excellent family film, good story and acting Disadvantages: None
...watching films myself but at the same time I am always searching for films suitable for my children. I also like to find children’s films that can be watched by adults so that we can watch them as a family. Whilst on this quest I stumbled upon a 1998 film called “The Mighty” which I had never heard of before. The plot summary suggested what might be a schmaltzy sentimental film but I thought we could give it a go.
“The Mighty” is based ... ...and is directed by the fairly unknown British director “Peter Chelsom”.
Plot
----
The film opens with a narration from Max (Elden Henson) , a 7th grade pupil who in his own words “is built like Godzilla”. He lives with his grandmother, who he calls “Gram” (Gena Rowlands) and his grandfather “Grim” (Harry Dean Stanton). Max is not a clever boy and has been twice been held down a grade in school.
I enjoy watching films myself but at the same time I am always searching for films suitable for my children. I also like to find children’s films that can be watched by adults so that we can watch them as a family. Whilst on this quest I stumbled upon a 1998 film called “The Mighty” which I had never heard of before. The plot summary suggested what might be a schmaltzy sentimental film but I thought we could give it a go.
“The Mighty” is based on the book “Freak the Mighty” written by Rodman Philbrick and is directed by the fairly unknown British director “Peter Chelsom”.
Plot ----
The film opens with a narration from Max (Elden Henson) , a 7th grade pupil who in his own words “is built like Godzilla”. He lives with his grandmother, who he calls “Gram” (Gena Rowlands) and his grandfather “Grim” (Harry Dean Stanton). Max is not a clever boy and has been twice been held down a grade in school.
Max is teased at school and has no friends. That is until a disabled boy called “Kevin” (Kieran Culkin) moves in next door with his mother (Sharon Stone). Kevin is small and weak due to a crippling congenital illness but is compensated with a powerful intellect and imagination.
Max and Kevin become friends and the fact that Max is willing to accompany Kevin allows Kevin the freedom to go out in a way he could not before. Then one day Max decides to lift Kevin onto his shoulders to watch a fireworks display and from that point on their relationship changes as they become one. Kevin becomes Max’s brain and Max becomes Kevin’s legs.
Kevin teaches Max to read and opens the door to his imagination with tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Kevin spurs on Max with the words “Every word is part of a picture. Every sentence is a picture. All you do, is let your imagination connect them together. If you have an imagination that is.”.
Kevin is called “Freak” at school and this leads the boys to some up with a name for themselves as a unit. So they Knight themselves “Freak the Mighty”. And then as a unit they take part in games at school (great for basketball) and are able to challenge the school bullies.
It becomes apparent that Max has a secret which haunts him. What happened to his mother and where is his father?
One day the boys recover a purse stolen by the local thugs and as good knights decide return it to it’s owner. The owner turns out to be Loretta (Gillian Anderson) who lives with Iggy (Meat Loaf) and by chance they seem to know Max from the past. This opens up Max’s memory of his mother and father.
Max’s past then returns to turn his life upside down but along with Kevin “Freak the Mighty” confronts the challenge.
Opinion -------
I didn’t hold out much hope for this film. The plot sounded like it could be a cheesy over sentimental Spielberg type story. However I sat down to watch with the children and as it unfolded found myself delighted by this superbly directed story.
This is a story of two boys who for different reasons are outcasts but as a unit become one. But more so it is a story of friendship and finding hope where none seems to exist. The film is undoubtedly what could be termed a ‘feel good’ film but it achieves this without the usual sloppy sentimentality. I felt truly uplifted at the end of the film and this is a nice achievement for a film in my eyes.
The story is inspirational and also sad in parts. There are also some great amusing lines such as when Kevin says to Max “My father was a Magician – my mom said that when he heard the words ‘birth defect’ he disappeared”. Max’s narration verges on the poetic especially at the end of the film which is beautifully executed.
The acting deserves a special mention. Kieran Culkin may be the brother of the appalling Macaulay but don’t hold that against him. Here he comes up with a wonderful performance as the bright and imaginative Kevin. Elden Henson is equally impressive as the gentle giant Max and the chemistry between the two boys is astounding. But it is not only the children in the cast that shine. Harry Dean Stanton and Gena Rowlands are excellent as Grim and Gram. Sharon Stone is very good in this sensitive part which is different from her more usual glamour roles. Gillian Anderson and Meat Loaf have short but well executed parts.
The performances and the plot are believable and only at one point in the film where Kevin slides down a snow covered hill to rescue Max is credibility stretched to the limit. But this is excusable in what is after all a children’s film.
Unlike many films of this ilk that start well but descend into schmaltzy sentimentalism by the end “The Mighty” has a beautifully crafted ending. Yes there is sadness but it is dealt with in such a way that it is truly moving and not just soppy.
This is all rounded off with a wonderful musical score with the song “Freak the Mighty” by Sting. This, with its Celtic instrumental riff adds a fantastic feel to the film.
“The Mighty” may have been billed as a children's film, but is also one for any adult seeking inspiration. It has an excellent story, excellent acting and excellent cinematography. My children (aged 12, 10 and 5) all loved it, possibly in different ways and were moved to reflect upon it afterwards. This is a sensitive and inspiring drama notionally for children but the story is mature and well enough told to delight any adult with a heart. It proves that you can have an intelligent and sensitive storyline for children and they can both understand it and enjoy it.
I was very pleasantly surprised to discover this wonderful film that I had previously not even heard of. I recommend it highly.
Certificate PG. Suitable for all the family but generally more suitable for older children due to the emotionally challenging storyline.
Advantages: Well acted. Heart warming story. Disadvantages: Soppy and sentimental.
The Plot
==========
Max (Elden Henson) is a teenage outcast with learning difficulties. He is bullied and has no friends. One day, brainy kid Kevin (Kieran Culkin) and his mum (Sharon Stone) move in next door. Kevin too is an outcast. He is a bit of a geek and due to some illness has a feeble body.
Max initially rejects Kevin's advances of friendship until Kevin becomes his reading tutor. Kevin's enthusiasm for the first time brings stories alive ... ...neither is any match for the bullies but together they discover they are stronger. They call themselves "Freak The Mighty". No longer are they limited by their disabilities and together are able to enjoy the delights of childhood they had never before been able to experience due to their limitations. They are both able to experience friendship for the first time.
Blurb on back cover of video
======================
"Award-winning actress Sharon ...
susancarter 06.03.2006
· Read full review
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Availability: in most good DVD stores e.g. HMV
Cost: £8-£15 approx.
Age Certificate: 15
Length: 240 minutes approx.
Languages: English
Subtitles: English
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Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINM; TECHNICOLOR DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
Release date
14/10/2002
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
BED 888625
Barcode
5017188886253
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Aspect Ratio
1.85 Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
DVD Description
Touching story of a young physically challenged boy (Kieran Culkin) with a taste for adventure stories who befriends his physically strong but mentally challenged neighbor (Elden Henson) so that they may act out fantastic adventures. The cast also includes Sharon Stone, Gena Rowlands, Gillian Anderson, Harry Dean Stanton, and James Gandolfini.
![The Mighty [DVD] [1998]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/74856073.jpg)
