Mr. North

I watched this movie on cable today, compelled not by the film itself (which sadly isn't up to snuff), but by the story, and especially by the charismatic leading character. The face was vaguely recognizable, as was the warmth and humanity of the actor's performance. Although the film, replete with a sterling cast, fails on many levels, Anthony Edwards' does not. He captures the glow of the title character, and positively shines with compassion. It's an excellent example of a great actor rising above a shoddy script and making a role his own. I give the film 5 stars out of 10 . . . but I give Mr. Edwards a perfect score.

I think I scored this slight film as high as I did because not only did it have a likable script and likable characters, but it was also nice for an old film buff like me because the film features a couple surprising appearances in supporting roles. Although big stars, Robert Mitchum, Angelica Huston and Lauren Bacall provide support to a film anchored, surprisingly, by a young Anthony Edwards. I say surprisingly because this was well before his "ER" days. Sure, he'd appeared in "Revenge of the Nerds" and "Top Gun", but he was still far from being a star--yet here, the entire film rests on his shoulders--very capable shoulders it turned out to be.

Edwards stars as Theophilus North--a very poor graduate of one of the elite universities in the nation. Being poor, he makes a living as a reader to the rich elite in Newport, Rhode Island during the 1920s. While he has a relatively lowly job, his incredibly sweet personality make him a guy people just seem to like. And, being very thoughtful and kind, you can't help but root for the guy. Eventually, he does make a name for himself--and gains some fame as a faith healer--although he keeps telling people he is NOT a miracle worker--just a guy with a strange physical anomaly. I could say a lot more about the film--but really don't want to ruin it.

The film has a very simple story and modest pretensions. It is NOT a big-name Hollywood production and yet, oddly, the film has great support and a nice script. It's not brilliant--but quirky and likable. See this one if you want to see what Hollywood can do IF they don't look for huge special effects, explosions and the like. Very likable and endearing.

This is hardly an epic movie, but then again, it doesn't need to be. As another reviewer said, there are no aliens, nothing horrid occurs, no crashing soundtrack nor is there some deep dark message which You Must Get to enjoy the movie being thrown at you.

Instead, this is a quiet way to pass a little bit more than an hour of time. Can you really ask that much more of a film? Given, the nastiness inherent in most modern films, I'd say that it's more than you'll probably find at your local cinamaplex these days.

The cast is fine to exceptional with Mitchem in one of his last and most interesting roles, Huston looking terrific and Edwards as, well, Edwards. Helped by a rather stellar supporting cast, I can recommend this film to you as a full family type of event. By all means - take the kids and by the film's end, you'll all be in a better mood.

I have to admit that I am fascinated by this movie. It has some of the best acting I ever have seen set beside some of the most ill-at-ease.

You can feel the influence of Thornton Wilder in the dialogue as the words trill across the ear. But it seems at times that the writer started out to write a play & ended up with a movie.

There is an enormous charm to this movie. The writing is a bit ... odd... at times, but creates a compelling story.

The acting is incredibly sweet and natural, for the most part (Mitchum is painfully awkward at first, Bacall overacts, and a couple of small parts are acted like a middle school play).

Anthony Edwards as Mr. North is astoundingly superb. Honestly, I am "shocked" at how charming he makes this character.

The writing may have helped the acting, actually, as it seems that cast must push against the occasionally slow screenplay to make their words more believable. It's almost a marvel to behold how good some of the acting is at times.

I wish my kids would sit still long enough to see a sweet movie like this.

If you want to be in a better mood, watch this charming movie.

I loved the choice of actors, the acting itself, the art direction, costuming and most everything about this film...BUT the screenplay. I read the book and remember it as a lively, interesting fast-paced read, but the movie stays lugged down, even despite the best efforts of the actors involved. I was pleased to watch it though, I was, but couldn't help but make the same comparison most do when watching a film adaptation of a favorite book...it couldn't help but pale in contrast. Anthony Edwards did his best, and it was charming, that was worth watching. Lauren Bacall, Mary Stuart Masterson, Virginia Madsen, Anjelica Huston...all so lovely to watch. I think even if I had not read the book I would have found the film sluggish, but it was sweet to watch.