A widowed mother and her son change when a mysterious stranger enters their lives.
Scott Hicks
Director
Anthony Hopkins
Ted Brautigan
Anton Yelchin
Robert 'Bobby' Garfield
Hope Davis
Elizabeth 'Liz' Garfield
Mika Boorem
Carol Gerber
David Morse
Adult Bobby Garfield
Alan Tudyk
Monte Man
Tom Bower
Len Files
Celia Weston
Alana Files
Deirdre O'Connell
Mrs. Gerber
Timothy Reifsnyder
Harry Doolin
Adam LeFevre
Don Biderman
This is certainly a case of less is more from Sir Anthony Hopkins. His considered performance as "Ted" lends much to this otherwise rather simple story of a widow (Hope Davis) and her young son "Bobby" (Anton Yeltsin). He befriends the young boy - much to the suspicion of the rather selfish, but loving, mother - and soon they are sharing confidences and the odd secret power as their bond gradually cements. It looks at the story from the older man's perspective as he reminisces about his own youth and from an engaging, enthusiastic Yeltsin's as the kid having his first love, dealing with school bullies etc.. It's delicately delivered: it has pace, but it is slow and thoughtful - and is a fairly faithful rendition of Stephen King's original story. Michael Danna's gentle accompaniment helps the story nicely, too.
