Kellerkinder - Orphans

i saw this movie in the late 80's and it's only been equaled by one other movie (imho). when you watch the movie, you have to understand that it was a play adapted to a movie and plays tend to be acted a little "over the top"... which is needed to reach out and grab an audience that is physically all around you. however, don't let that steer you away from the incredible acting and story that is told. it's about a basic and fundamental need in all human beings, the need to be loved and cared for in naturing way. this movie is so raw in it's needs and emotions, it can be hard to watch. really, it can be painful and some people don't like that. sometimes we just want to be entertained. this movie can be entertaining at times, but if you want to watch something that will speak directly to your heart and not sugarcoat reality in any way, you can do no better than this film. all 3 actors are exceptional in this movie and for it to get no critical acclaim is criminal. i see 12 reviews on IMDb.com. wow. i know the movie is a bit obscure, but not that obscure... the actors are well known and do such an incredible job. please make every effort to watch this and you won't be disappointed. if you aren't affected by this movie, you aren't human.

This drama was very powerful in spots but I found it too uncomfortable in the long run. It was interesting but, frankly, I wouldn't want to see it again. Two young guys (at time time) - Matthew Modine ("Treat") and Kevin Anderson ("Phillip") - play characters that not always each to watch. It gets a little too mean-spirited, as the latter is mentally slow.

As interesting as those two guys are, the best character is played by Albert Finney. His role as "Harold" - nobody has a last name in this movie - is hard to figure at times. He is older than the other two guys, low-life mental cases, and he winds up being kidnapped by the younger guys. He, too, as it turns out, was an orphan and all three share a sad and somewhat sordid backgrounds. He winds up just about being a foster-type father to these kidnappers. However, there are strong homosexual overtones in this movie, too, which could lead to other conclusions. It's a bizarre story.

Whatever, this is extremely well-acted movie but too unpleasant for my tastes.

This movie has a power that many movies lack. The acting by all three main characters is super. It's about two orphan brothers who try robbing another orphan. Instead of robbing him, they end up working for him. An awesome movie that shouldn't be missed!

Yeah a complete 10. Hard but excellent. As you follow along it draws you in. The story is good, I even step back and notice the slow camera work. So So intimate, like you get to experience a private showing of a great play right in your living room.

....I wish to mention one review above by ccthemovieman...it speaks of homosexual issues. I only hope you are young or from some other perspective...because this emotional charged story is just about " a little encouragement , a squeeze of the shoulder" really nothing more , no overtones , or other issues. It is just caring. Human caring and encouragement. Very simple, very pure. Remember this was a while ago when it was OK for males to touch and not get arrested or whatever. Society's...people's loss that that has gotten so cloudy/avoided.

So no I feel there is no homosexual suggestions or whatever in this story. ....perhaps has to do with the eye of the beholder?? I remembered this when saw it prob 25 yrs ago ....just finally found and bought it. Just as powerful as I recall.

I love when I just stumble on to a movie like this late at night, I wouldn't have known the title if not for IMDb here. Modine and Anderson are great, believable brothers. Albert Finney is always good

I gave this 8/10 8)