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Reviews
The First of May (1999)
A great story and powerful cast.
Spoiler Alert! The screenplay took the book's story and enhanced it into a great statement of the human condition. A cast away placed into a series of foster families and institutions that are warehouses at best; finally finds a home with Michelle and Dan and for a time seems to be more than the others.
He even finds a friend; an old lady who, as he, is without a family; Carlotta is a retired Circus performer and tells Cory stories of her life with the circus and shares her favorite candy. As the two talk and learn about the other, Cory realizes that Carlotta and he have a great deal in common. Neither of them have a family ... Cory volunteers to be Carlotta's family and she pledges the same ... the two of them build a family.
The Michelle becomes pregnant, Cory overhears Dan and Michelle talk about the pregnancy and how it would affect Cory ... Cory misunderstands and jumps to the wrong conclusion ... decides that he's not wanted; just like the rest and runs away. Carlotta decides to run away with him.
They ultimately find a circus, and the two of them find an extended family (not like the book) and build meaningful relationships with and old friend Dinghy and Zack a performer that takes Cory under his wing. Zack along with the school teacher/high ring dancer bring Cory back together with Dan and Michelle when Carlotta suffers a heart attack and seems to die.
All ends well; with the misunderstanding resolved; Cory goes back to Dan and Michelle and becomes their son and brother to the new baby. Carlotta recovers and becomes moves in with the family ... the two of them finally get what they've wanted all along ... a family.
A great story played by a powerful cast, and a great improvement over the one found in the book; which was good, don't get me wrong. But in the screenplay all the characters become real and positive players in Cory's life. I give the effort a 10; and hope it's released in DVD or at least VHS.
Second Best (1994)
Speaks to the heart of the male experience.
The story theme rings true and shows the way. The world is still not a "kid friendly" place. It takes a very special adult and effort for a damaged child to re-bond with an adult. The single act that made it possible for James to finally re-connect was Graham taking in James' father. James needed that closure.
I think one of William Hurt's best efforts. And Chris Cleary Miles gave a riveting performance. It's a shame he didn't do anything else.
Simon Boswel's haunting theme and score was an added plus.
I wish they'd make the movie available in the DVD format and re-release the sound track.