Unverstanden

'Misunderstood' is an adaptation of a novel by Florence Montgomery but most of all a remake of Luigi Comencini's masterpiece 'Incompreso'.

This review is destined to evaluate 'Misunderstood', so here it goes. It's certainly not a bad movie if judged without comparing to the original. However, when compared to the original, it seems artificial in many aspects. The gorgeous Italy is replaced by Tunisia (in North Africa), the settings look unnatural and unrefined, the house looks crude, the scenes seem forced and lack authenticity, the actors lack emotion in their roles (including Henry Thomas, who was brilliant in 'E.T.'), many detailed scenes were removed or modified and there are additional scenes that don't quite fit in the plot. Not even the uncle saves the movie. Here the uncle is a very serious man who rarely laughs, he has nothing to do with the playful uncle from the original.

The ending feels somewhat vague comparing to the original and far less emotional too but also leaves you wondering if Andrew survives or not. It ends suddenly and we never really get to know the answer to this question.

Gene Hackman is okay but nowhere near as good as Anthony Quayle. Huckleberry Fox is adorable but not in the same league as the kid of the original. Same for Henry Thomas in comparison to the boy of the original.

I have been enjoying this film for 20 years and it makes me cry buckets every time.....but in a good way - the feeling of release is immense.

Gene Hackman's performance is superb but it's Henry Thomas who is the star; forget E.T., this is real acting. While I admit that the plot-line of two young children losing their mother is depressing, it is sadly a fact of life and I think the film more than adequately portrays the sudden devastating impact on the both the surviving parent and the children. Moreover, it shows the lesson to be learned by all workaholic fathers at how important a hands-on role is to their children and themselves. As an English nanny, I have seen and experienced the sadness all too often.

Women - watch and weep. Men - watch, weep and learn! This film should be on DVD NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Contrived and sappy story, which is also difficult to understand. Mom dies. Dad can't fill her shoes... and nothing else after that. Hackman fills the father role with as much strength as he can muster with the lifeless script provided for him. Youngsters Thomas and Fox are engaging in the film through the poignant relationship they create.

I saw this movie on its release in 1984. I had much the same relationship with my Dad as the boy in this story, so it touched a raw nerve. When you have an experience like this boy, and you can closely identify with him the storyline takes an on an extremely emotional roller-coaster ride, and needless to say I broke down at the end of the film. I have just connected to the internet and I have been searching for this film for the past 20 years. Now I finally have a copy and I'm going to watch it with my wife and Daughter. Needless to say I have a very close relationship with them because I made sure things with my kids would be different. I never got close to my Dad.

I went to see this movie with my Dad 3 times with in one month in 1984 Bangkok, Thailand. The theater gave Moviegoers starch handkerchiefs as free gifts. At first time, I have no my own. I have to used it. It is really hurtful. When I get out of the theater, I almost could not open my eyes, have to hold my dad hand and hide my face to his arm. I hear giggling then glance at woman face with red eyes and nose. She is laughing with her friend, complaining how hard the handkerchief is.

The misunderstood is a very good family movie. My dad and I got good feeling from this movie. After that we never misunderstand to each other because this movie tell us that we have to talk and listen to each other, forgive and forget. Only love is not enough. We have to understand each other and believe in our love and bond.

This movie should be shown again all theaters around the world and nominated for academy award 2009.