Tim

Caught this film on cable, late night, a few years back. No idea what to expect, just wasn't ready to go to bed. By the time it ended, it was in my Top 10 of all time. Certainly the lowest budgeted film (accounting for inflation, anyway) on that list.

Gibson was terrific, capturing a handicapped young man perfectly. But, hey, the entire cast was great, especially Awyn Kurts as Tim's father. And, after appreciating Piper Laurie for years and years, that night I fell in love with her.

I've never seen such a "tight" little film. I doubt that there were more than 12 seconds of even semi-wasted frames. Michael Pate did an amazing job.

This is one of the better films I have seen starring Mel Gibson. A low budget, Australian film, made in the late seventies, it is a real change from his usual offerings. The basic plot outline (promise I won't spoil! :)) is that Gibson plays the title role of Tim, a 24 year-old man who is slightly mentally retarded. Piper Laurie excels as 'Mary Horton' a successful forty-something widow who takes a romantic interest in Tim, but is unsure if a relationship will work.

The thing that struck me about this movie was it's basic principle. It is not uncommon for rich, forty-something men to be seen with attractive, supposedly less-intelligent women. 'Tim' turns this on its head having a rich, older woman hooking up with an attractive, less intelligent younger man. Society frowns on the latter form relationship, I'm not sure why, and it adds an interesting angle to the story.

The only complaint about the film is the ending. They had such a fantastic idea but the movie just...ends. Loose ends are left and to be honest it seemed tacked on or just plain rushed.

It is a good, heartwarming film with a few weepy bits and one-or-two good ideas not explored well enough but still entertaining nonetheless.

Even though we now live in the 21st century, there are still many people who cannot bring themselves to accept anything that is out of the "norm". There still exist segments of our societies, that perpetuate the practices of intolerance.....especially when it comes to romance. For such individuals, this movie "TIM", is no doubt unbearable to even look at.

However, for those of us who are not stuck in the ways of the closed minded past, "TIM" is an example of a movie that is ahead of it's time. It is the touching story of two people, who find happiness and love, through an unorthodox relationship.

This film explores a romantic relationship between two people, that on paper, would seem almost unbelievable. Yet magnificently, this story is portrayed so well on screen, that it seems as realistic and natural as any other common relationship.

Yes Mel Gibson is in this film, but as a heterosexual male, my favorite character is played by leading lady Piper Laurie...........Who just so happens to be H - O - T, Hot Hot Hot !!!!!

In the words of young people today, " She's a real M.I.L.F. !!!!! " My goodness,......that flaming red hair and that navy blue bathing suit she wears at the end.....(Oh be still my beating heart !!!!) Piper Laurie is absolutely gorgeous in this film. If you can appreciate the beauty of an older woman, then this DVD is worth buying just to see her !!

What makes this movie so sweet though, is that there is nothing in this story that is perverted about their romance. You truly fall in love with Piper Laurie, as an honest woman who genuinely cares. Although she is an accomplished and successful woman, she is as emotionally innocent as Mel Gibson's character. Their romance develops naturally, and without sex as an ulterior motive.

This film, in it's own quiet little way, shows us that just because a relationship might seem bizarre to you, does not mean that there's anything wrong with it. The love of a lifetime, can spring forth between the most unlikely people.

"Tim" is possibly the most unknown and under-rated of all the films Mel Gibson has done. It is certainly one of the best and proved, quite early in his career, that he knows his craft very well and is well able to carry off a challenging role to perfection. The title character, Tim, is seeking to know the adult world around him without an adults' understanding of the subtilties of life. Mel Gibson plays the part to perfection, neither feeling sorry for himself nor being so crass as to portray this child/man as "cute and silly". He is simple, "Not the full quid", as Tim puts it. But he feels all of an adults needs and finds the person to explain life to him in a way he can understand. Piper Laurie, as Mary, becomes the most important person in Tim's life; and she plays the role with a kindness and compassion usually not seen in today's actors. This film is a must for anyone concerned with raising and educating a child with the challenge of a mental handicap. One could hope that Mel will do more movies of this type, with the love and understanding and true actor's ability he shows in this, his second movie.

The film Tim is one of the most sensitive acting jobs I have seen Mel Gibson do. It is so unusual that a young actor can play a mentally slow young man so well. He gives us insight into the world of feelings of his character with his voice, body language, and facial expression in a way that makes each moment come alive. He is truly living his character. Piper,(Mary), also plays her role with all the care and sensitivity it needs. The story of the growing friendship between the two makes for more of a poem than a movie. A true love story, regardless of age and handycaps. And Tim's parents are well acted and believable. The harsh note of realism comes in the form of Tim's sister who only sees the oddness of it. However, magic prevails and a delicate love story is born. I wish it had been longer to further develop their lives. I also wish Mel Gibson would return more often to his ability to portray sensitive men with such truth.