Just as a consumer note, I have read Natalie Babbit's novel, but I read it like four years ago and thus don't remember all the details. I did see the 1981 version, which was okay but pretty dull. So I will not be comparing the book and the film.
You all know the plot: rich little girl Winnie (Alexis Bledel) runs away from home and stumbles across the Tucks, a family who never age. Eventually she falls in love with the youngest Tuck, Jesse (Jonathan Jackson), and is forced to choose between eternal life, or, well, not eternal life.
A simplistic and yet interesting tale, in of itself. The film is beautifully made, perfectly acted, and is even touching to an extent. The cast brings what were in the book (and on paper) fairly bland ciphers to life.
We obviously must start with Alexis Bledel. I will admit that I have never seen "Gilmore Girls", but on the basis of this film, she is a great young actress. The best ever? Hardly. But her interplay with Jackson is perfectly portrayed, and she brings naivety and love of adventure to the role. I look forward to seeing more of her work.
The supporting cast is made up of some of the best character actors ever. Ben Kingsley, best known for his Oscar-winning role as the star of "Gandhi", is perfectly menacing as the man in the yellow suit. Amy Irving ("Carrie") and Victor Garber ("Titanic") as Winnie's parents are superb. Jonathan Jackson and Scott Bairstow are equally effective as the Tuck boys, with veteran actors Sissy Spacek and William Hurt as their parents.
The film is helped by excellent cinematography and direction by James L. Carter ("My Dog Skip"), and a simple but beautiful score by William Ross.
This isn't the greatest film ever, but it's better than 90% of all children's fair today, "The Lion King" and "Toy Story" notwithstanding. Has a few flaws, but definitely worth your time.
Seven stars.
You all know the plot: rich little girl Winnie (Alexis Bledel) runs away from home and stumbles across the Tucks, a family who never age. Eventually she falls in love with the youngest Tuck, Jesse (Jonathan Jackson), and is forced to choose between eternal life, or, well, not eternal life.
A simplistic and yet interesting tale, in of itself. The film is beautifully made, perfectly acted, and is even touching to an extent. The cast brings what were in the book (and on paper) fairly bland ciphers to life.
We obviously must start with Alexis Bledel. I will admit that I have never seen "Gilmore Girls", but on the basis of this film, she is a great young actress. The best ever? Hardly. But her interplay with Jackson is perfectly portrayed, and she brings naivety and love of adventure to the role. I look forward to seeing more of her work.
The supporting cast is made up of some of the best character actors ever. Ben Kingsley, best known for his Oscar-winning role as the star of "Gandhi", is perfectly menacing as the man in the yellow suit. Amy Irving ("Carrie") and Victor Garber ("Titanic") as Winnie's parents are superb. Jonathan Jackson and Scott Bairstow are equally effective as the Tuck boys, with veteran actors Sissy Spacek and William Hurt as their parents.
The film is helped by excellent cinematography and direction by James L. Carter ("My Dog Skip"), and a simple but beautiful score by William Ross.
This isn't the greatest film ever, but it's better than 90% of all children's fair today, "The Lion King" and "Toy Story" notwithstanding. Has a few flaws, but definitely worth your time.
Seven stars.