C'era una volta

This film is near to my heart, no only am I a loyal Cassavetes fan, I think there is touch-point in this for everyone. A good film to watch with children. The story is so sweet and hard to be with as well. I wish this writer/director would take on similar projects to this one rather than the path taken since this film was made. Perhaps a story of a little Hasen for example. See this movie, it will remind you that film making doesn't need to be pyrotechnics or smash cuts to be meaningful and good entertainment, nor does the story line need to be about thugs or cops. The time for independent film is now, to go back to basics.....................a good story.

I saw this movie today for the first time, and cannot believe, that I had never seen it before now. It was such a beautiful and moving story, a story that showed how love can develop between people, regardless of age, race or their relationship to each other. All thou Marvin wasn't Tige's father he became the father that Tige never had, and showed him in so many ways just how much he would do to show him that he did. And Tige showed him how much a little boy could return that love. All in all it proved that true love comes from the heart. And I truly feel that this 1985 movie should be showed in movie theaters today, that it would make a great impact on so many people lives. It doesn't need to be remade because to me that would only take away from it. I think that John Cassavetes and Gibram Brown both deserves "ACADEMY WARDS", because they performed so well, and they should both be recognized for it. It really made a great impact on me today, I cried tears of sadness as well as tears of happiness.

This movie was a real surprise for me. Its one of those show that you don't expect much from, then quite by surprise, you find yourself very much moved by the subject matter and the performance of the actors.

Eleven-year-old Gibran Brown's single mother dies, and he heads onto the streets. He's thinking about killing himself with a razor when depressed widower John Cassavetes sits down and talks to him. Eventually he takes him home and tries to take care of him.

It's well intentioned and beautifully performed, although I found its feel-good attitude occasionally a bit saccharine. It was filmed in Atlanta, although there isn't that much that couldn't have been set in any major city.

With Billy Dee Williams and Denise Nicholas.

This is an ever so sensitive story that shows a very unique bond between an aging lonely person and a homeless child. The care and love that develops between the two proves once again that love is possible from a non biological father towards a child that is not his son. One that raises a child, knows him well, and wins his trust becomes actually a father figure for any child. Tige, the colored little boy was played perfectly by a little child managing to steal the hearts of us all. The moral of this film is that only sincere feelings can create unique bonds. Marvin expressed such sincere feelings towards little Tige. Only by acting in such a manner could he reach this kind of special bond. Marvin's courage and honorable sacrifice must be admired, he gives up the most precious thing in his life and retreats back to his lonely and bleak life. The end of this lovely friendship ends so tragically for Marvin but in a very justified way for Tige. This film is greatly recommended for improving parental qualities and skills.