The Incredible Mrs. Ritchie

Wonderful feel good movie with veteran cast Gena Rowlands, James Caan, and David Schofield, delivering fine performances. Kevin Zegers in the key role of Charlie was also very good. The sharp contrast between Charlie's totally dysfunctional family, and Mrs Ritchie's unconditional loving family, drives the film. Lessons in forgiveness and tolerance permeate the emotionally satisfying script. Interesting parable that a family is like a garden, and needs love and attention to grow. A very quiet movie that has a lot to say about honesty and human kindness. Not necessarily a tear jerker, more of a mind stimulator, or perhaps a wake up call for your emotions. - MERK

Charlie (Kevin Zegers) is a troubled teen fighting all the time and getting kicked out of several schools. His home life is a mess. His father (David Schofield) is an angry bully. His mother (Leslie Hope) is also troubled. Juvenile delinquent Lawrence (Justin Chatwin) befriends Charlie and steals a purse but Charlie is the one who gets caught. The principal (James Caan) offers Charlie a job to help Mrs Ritchie (Gena Rowlands) and her two Down Syndrome sons or else get expelled.

This is a nice story written by Paul Johansson. It has a nice poetic touch in some of the twists and reveals. He isn't as good as a director. The style is limited to a TV movie feel. My biggest problem is with lead actor Kevin Zegers. He doesn't bring anything special to the role and he also looks too old. I wonder if Justin Chatwin is a better fit although he's even older. At least, he does that grumpy teen character very well. James Caan is in the movie but his skills are needed more in the important father character. Then there is the one and only great Gena Rowlands. She makes this look easy. It could have been a run-of-the-mill Lifetime movie if not for her.

I don't know the actors well, and only caught this film by accident. I thought it was very good. I never cry at movies, but this one choked me up at the end.

I disagree with somebody's comment about the mother and father's acting. I thought they were remarkably realistic. I have met people just like them!!!

And I didn't think Kevin Zeggers did that bad of a job.

The only person that I think was completely cast wrong was the "tough-guy" at the school. He looked a little too clean cut to be a bad boy. It was like watching Mr. Rogers trying to do a psycho role.

I gave it 8 stars. Not a block buster, but definitely worth a viewing.

With two seasoned veterans on the bill, Gena Rowlands and James Caan, (and an up and coming actor like Kevin Zegers) one would expect a certain quality of acting in this movie... and it does not disappoint. The simple yet beautiful story was handcrafted by Paul Johansson (who was also the films director) and it seems that he took as careful care in the casting as he did in his writing. Each character struck me as unique and genuine and all of the actors served the story rather fittingly. Leslie Hope deserves special notice for her portrayal of Charlie's mother; she is near psychotic most of the times and yet Hope manages to keep things from going over the top. One of the highlights of the film for me was observing the relationship between Mrs. Ritchie's handicapped sons, played by Jeremy Raymond and John Speer. Jeremy Raymond, who I've discovered is actually not handicapped at all, was a delight to watch whenever he was on the screen and a few of the scenes between him and Speers were quite touching in their honesty. This is a wonderful movie that is constructed with great care and it is a fine example of what Canadian film is about.

this movie was amazing, and Kevin Zegers made it 132843723094 times better. he is the only reason i knew about this movie, but i did end up liking it. yeah i have and obsession with Kevin Zegers. Justin Chatwin is also hot but he's hotter in war of the worlds.The incredible Mrs Rithie was touching.that sounds super nerdy( and so did that).i hated the dad, and the sister. what the heck was she wearing. but i guess that doesn't matter. Well the movie was really good and definitely worth watching. I'm only writing this much because it says it has to be ten lines of text. just so everyone knows. yeah i'm retarded. omg one more line, i serously am confused. because I've seen other ppls shorter comments.