HumbleMensa

Okay, so I don't even know where to begin.

I will try to be neutral as this was directed by Fernando Trueba and he usually is pretty good. And although I 100% saw what he was trying to do because I'm of an age that I recall the style, but this one is not just a disappointment-it's just plain old boring, boring, boring and even hard to get through.

The story isn't anything new, maybe one small surprise. The characters are mediocre at best. The female lead totally held this together, and I'm so sorry that I have to remember Matt Dillon in this role because while he can play a good nutter, and I grew up watching him so I'm totally familiar with his range (he's often overlooked, a better actor than he's given credit for) I cringed at many of his scenes. Again, I know what the director was trying to do but it'll be a miss with younger generations and Dillon was just lifeless in this one.

The music, however, was fabulous.

This film effectively captures the emotional depth of its subject matter, depicting scenarios that many may have personally experienced or witnessed among friends or family. The movie shines in conveying the emotions associated with such situations. The performances by Lively, Sklenar, Slate, and Baldoni are commendable, with Lively delivering a special standout performance. I recommend this film to both men and women and suggest that preteens also view it due to the important messages conveyed, despite some raw elements. Although I have not read the book, this film has inspired me to consider doing so. Well done to all involved.

Note: It's important to remember that not all situations like this one end this way.

Listen, I'm of an age group that this was released and shown when I was in my early teens. Technology was not the same back then and it was a made for tv movie. Our parents were advised to watch with us, that it would be unsettling and viewer warnings were advised. For the time, and during the Cold War which did hang around and was present, this flick was pretty good and it was a scary, albeit low grade fear compared to today's level. I do think people should watch it again and if you've never seen it, don't expect it to be high grade graphics. It's got an important message that likely is lost on the younger generations and they need to be exposed. The actors are respectable.