I Am the Cheese

After reading several reviews for this film being not only slow, dull, confusing, and bad, I felt obligated to review it myself. To be fair, the movie is slow, dull and confusing but it is not bad. Especially for 1983, I Am the Cheese is a good story that keeps its audience guessing to what is actually happening to the story's main character. Along wtih the movie's plot, the cast as well as the setting for thid story are all equally important to its theme. In many ways, the setting of rural Vermont is as long and dull as its cast. The pacing of the movie is deliberate. Not to bore its audience but to showcase how lost the main chracter is. This is beyond evident with the long takes of endless bicycle scenes that go on way too long. The point the movie is bringing to its audience is like a mouse through the maze, the Cheese is the one who is lost. Yes this can be a boring movie, but its the context of the movie that you need to consider. Not the right movie for everyone, but for those who read the book should be obligated to view it at least once.

The people who made I Am The Cheese disregarded the atmosphere of the original novel. The movie is bright and cheery. The interrogation scenes take place in a well-lit, normal-looking office. The doctor is basically nonthreatening. The drama of Adam's situation is underplayed and subdued, and the movie insults the book by adding an ending that fits the movie's sanitized view of the story. A new version of this film would be really cool, if any studio had the initiative to take on the project. Since the cast is so small and the story requires little in the way of special effects, an independent production could work out very well. Today's audiences would probably react well to a version of I Am The Cheese that stays true to the style of the book -- dark, threatening, and mysterious. It's a shame nobody's bothered to dig up the rights.

I'll admit that this movie, which was based on Robert Cormier's young adult novel, must have been difficult to make. The novel jumped through many time frames and had many scenes which would have been difficult to capture on film. But it simply lacks the subtle horror of the book, and the low budget really shows. Also, why change the ending? The ending of the novel might have been bleaker, but in the movie the ending left many questions unanswered.

The movie's title and DVD cover kept catching my attention at the movie store. I finally rented it and was not disappointed. I watched it without having heard about the book or anything so I went in unbiased. On its own, I'd say it was quite intriguing. It kept you guessing... even after it ended. The ending was rather unclear, but fascinating and puzzling in a good way. I'd say, if you have read the book, don't spoil the movie for somebody else because you did not think the movie gave the book justice. Just judge the movie on its own. Sure it was low budget, but just appreciate it for its good points--the intriguing plot, the beautiful scenery, and the intense emotion. Over all, I would recommend this movie to anyone who is able to branch out and be adventurous. Just watch it and see if you like it. Judge for yourself.

the title says it all, "I am the Cheese". This movie is nothing but cheesy.

The movie makes no sense at all for those who haven't read the book, it makes a little sense to those who have read the book.

The acting is terrible, the character lacked charisma it's almost like they are reading from a script.

And last of all, the movie is boring, they are good boring movies like " lost in Translation" etc. This movie is everything you don't want you movie to be.

Anyway, DO NOT WATCH THIS MOVIE. It's the ultimate embarrassment if anyone catch you watching this. The book is a worth read but STAY AWAY FORM THIS