Mr. Rice's Secret

First, I think what Mel Morris is looking for that distinguishes the Canadian film is the accent. There's not too much that is tougher on the ear than listening to a Canadian adolescent male's voice change with that accent. No offense to the Canadian folk...it's extremely distinctive.

Otherwise, a decent film, and I think the message that is sent in the film is that kids, even 12-13 year-olds who should know better, still can be cruel, even to terminally ill cancer patients who are trying to live out their lives as normally as can be. The one problem that I have with the film is the lack of adult intervention, especially the fight at the tennis courts and at the Little League tryouts. The directors went a little too over the top to drive the point across.

Death is always a difficult subject to cover in the movies. Even more so when dealing with terminally ill children. Mr Rice's Secret succeeds in covering the issues in a sensitive but not mawkish way. Bowie gives a measured performance as the ancient mystic who befriends a young boy with Hodgkin's disease. The real star though is Bill Switzer, who excels as the boy fearing death who must learn to love life.

This film had potential, but I, and I suspect those involved in making it, really have no idea who it was actually aimed at.

Simplified too much to appeal to more mature kids (of all ages), too much involvement from rather cardboard parents for any escapism, the moralizing getting in the way of the story too much for younger kids and too obvious for older ones, the "puzzles" far too simply solved.

Overall, far too much certainty. For a movie with this kind of story to succeed, I think a lot more ambiguity and uncertainty is required - hints at what's going on, who the characters are, and what's going to happen, rather than great big illuminated signposts. It could probably do with taking itself rather more seriously, too.

I only find myself wondering how they managed to string it out for so long.

A nice take on the coming-of-age theme. Fantasy and grave-digging might appeal to many kids sense of adventure. It has secret messages, a code ring, and a mystery--great fun! There were a lot of places I could see where you could initiate a discussion with your kids--about dying, how to treat other people, the true meaning of friendship, etc. I found the lead character Owen to be a likable kid, his friend Mr. Rice was cool--I really like David Bowie. The ending was not a surprise, but expected--maybe not by a kid, a really good movie for parents and kids to watch together. I'll keep it around for my grandkids to watch when they come over.

But it wasn't. As an ex brit Canadian, I am continually appalled by the standard of Canadian films. There is just something sooo distinctive about them - you can spot them a mile off - haven't quite figured out what it is - certainly the filming and direction is part of it. David Bowie was great in his too limited role - could have done with more of him and less of the kid's parents - as the parent of 2 canadian teenagers myself I could see no resemblance to real teenagers. The language was stilted, the scene was sort of leave it to beaver with attitude - as if the movie was set 20 years ago. Still, it made me cry - which isn't hard to do and I have seen worse, thus a 6 out of 10