The Mind of Mr. Soames

"The Mind of Mr. Soames" is a uniquely original and genuinely absorbing medical drama/thriller, but let's get one thing unmistakably clear from the beginning: this is a primarily talkative and thought-provoking film, so everyone who's expecting spectacular action sequences or sensational Science Fiction footage might feel sorely disappointed or even cheated after his/her viewing! Kind of like with, for example, "The Andromeda Strain", my advice would be not to start watching this film late at night when you're already battling sleep, because you'll lose, regardless of how compelling and innovative the subject matter is. "The Mind of Mr. Soames" thrives on its intellectual screenplay (based on a novel by Charles Eric Maine), atypical character studies and deeply admirable acting performances. The atmosphere, as well as several individual sequences, is unsettling and suspenseful, but more from a social and human interest point of view… if that makes sense.

In Dr. Maitland's private clinic, cozily hidden in the rural British countryside, this 30-year-old patient John Soames has been lying in a coma ever since birth. Dr. Maitland has now invited the acclaimed American Dr. Bergen – as well as a whole army of TV reporters and journalists – to perform progressive brain surgery in an ultimate attempt to wake John up. The operation succeeds, but John naturally has 30 years of learning and development to catch up. Tension mounts when Dr. Maitland insists on subjecting John Soames to a strict schedule, while Dr. Bergen pleads for letting him explore and discover life freely. John himself clearly feels trapped within the clinic's walls and escapes, but the baby inside a grown man's body isn't ready to deal with the world… or vice versa. The most admirable thing about "The Mind of Mr. Soames" is that it never reverts to clichés or cheap sensation. The character of Dr. Maitland, for example, easily could have been a stereotypical tyrant or obsessive scientist, but even he remains an integer and identifiable person. The (anti-)climax, often described as boring and unsatisfying, is actually a very honest piece of cinema. Director Alan Cooke, usually active in television, does a very good job and also could depend on really great actors. Terence Stamp is simply terrific in the titular role, as he puts a lot of heart and childish innocence in the persona of John Soames. Robert Vaughn delivers what is probably the most mature performance of his career and Nigel Davenport is reliable as always. This was a very atypical film for the Amicus production studios and a very atypical film altogether, but recommended for sure.

The Tone of the Movie is about the same as the Tone of the Response from Movie Critics and Audiences. Tepid, mildly Engaging, with a Detached but Detailed Observation. The Film Relies on a Documentary Style and approach where Things are Observed, Unfettered, and Matter of Fact.

Occasionally, it does Manage to Draw Interest when the Boring and Predictable become more Lively and Intriguing. The Wakening of a Man from a 30 Year Coma (since birth) and the Clinical Nurturing and "Upbringing" asks the Scientific and Sociological Questions one would Expect, and the Answers are what one would Expect from a Textbook.

The Film does have a Serious Sense of Purpose and some Fine Performances with Leads Terence Stamp and Robert Vaughn Excellent. But in the End it is all about Entertainment and the Movie, going Against Conventional Wisdom and Trends, Delivers a Docu-Drama with the Emphasis on "Doc".

It Anticipates Reality TV's Cold and Truthful Camera without Today's "Spontaneous" "Slight of Hand" that Keeps it from Being Really "Reality". You can only get that from a Hidden Camera. The Film is Worth a Watch for the Good Acting and Sleek Production, but the Decision to go "Low Key" did leave Audiences a bit Disappointed.

But it's just Off-Beat enough to allow a Recommendation. It took a Chance and it almost Succeeds, but Not Quite and was a Noble Effort.

"The Mind of Mr. Soames" is a very unusual film and about the only movie that I can think of that is similar is Truffaut's "The Wild Child". Both are about someone who basically goes from zero socialization to being forced to interact with the world...whether they want to or not.

When the film begins, you learn that a Mr. Soames (Terrence Stamp) has been in a coma since birth...30 years ago! However, a group of doctors think they can operate on him and bring him out of it. So suddenly they have what is, in essence, a 30 year-old baby. A person who looks like a man but needs to be given an accelerated childhood in order to bring him up to speed for lost time. The problem is that instead of treating him with love and compassion, he's more like a science project and no one wants to listen to Dr. Bergen (Robert Vaughn) who urges them to reconsider their methods.

Not surprisingly, Soames is depressed and angry. After all, folks won't give him clear answers and he's living in an emotionally deprived world. So he escapes from the hospital and goes on an adventure. But not knowing any of the rules of society, he is about as lost as King Kong in New York or the Frankenstein monster! You really have to feel sorry for the guy and you have a strong feeling that nothing good will come of it.

Overall, this is a good film with a bit of a flaw. Terrence Stamp is wonderful as Soames. But I also had a hard time believing that all but one of the doctors could be THAT clueless in how to properly care for this patient...it did seem a tiny bit far- fetched...although treating him like a science experiment, I could believe as this has happened before with feral children brought back to civilization (the famous case of Genie is a sad example). Still, despite this, the film is thought provoking and interesting...and worth seeing.

Sadly he wasn't nominated.

This is a very thought provoking film, I read the book before they made the film, it deviated a bit but still a good rendition with great performances from Stamp and Robert Vaughn, always a great actor sad to see him go at a fine old age.

If you want intelligent Sci Fi then is for you, however if Sci Fi means CGI, non stop action with space ships and aliens then don't bother, it's not.

A new take on the Frankenstein myth. Terence Stamp is the man in a coma since birth but kept alive in a kind of oxygen tank, who is awakened after 30 years. Alan Cooke's "The Mind of Mr. Soames" is an unusually intelligent piece of sci-fi which, like Mary Shelley's novel, is really about the relationship between the doctor who 'awakens' him and his 'creature' , the unfortunate Mr Soames who might have been better off had he been left in his tank. In these roles Robert Vaughan, (the doctor), and in particular Stamp, (Soames), are excellent. If the plot proceeds along a somewhat predictable path, the superb handling and good performances all round, more than redeem it. Not really a success when it came out, it is now destined for cult status.