A Última Grande Lição

This is one of those rare television events that didn't dumb itself down in order to reach a wider audience. It stayed true to the book and the only complaint I could see were minor problems with pacing. All-in-all, I regard this work as what I hope television will become but am fearful these types of shows will remain the exception.

This is a great TV movie about a retired teacher named Morrie Schwartz who is slowly dying of Lou Gherig's disease. Instead of being miserable about his inevitable death, Morrie has accepted it. An old pupil of his, Mitch Albom, has come to visit Morrie after hearing of his sickness on the news. Morrie starts to teach Mitch about his ideas on the meaning of life. He says "When we learn to die, we learn to live." When you can accept that you will die someday, you live life differently. He also says to always forgive everyone before it's too late and to love everyone. "We must love one another, or die."

It is made very clear from the very beginning of this movie that Morrie is going to die. Knowing this makes you dread the ending of this movie, but not as much as watching Morrie in such pain, especially at night. There were great acting jobs by everyone in this movie, including Wendy Moniz and Hank Azaria. But Jack Lemmon steals the show.

This movie reminded me a lot of "I'm Not Rappaport," starring Jack Lemmon's partner Walter Matthau. It's an excellent and beautiful movie that will really make you look at life differently, which is what Morrie would have liked.

Tuesdays with Morrie was ideally suited for the format of a television movie. A series of vignettes with narration from Hank Azaria, a film based chiefly on dialogue and example, Tuesdays with Morrie is a heartwarming reminder to all of what is important in life--even for people who believe they have it all figured out. Hank Azaria delivers a rare and precise dramatic performance. Jack Lemmon, of course, is right on the money. If at all possible, view the movie without commercial interruption. Somehow corporate sponsorship doesn't fit.

Although this movie was a made for TV movie and the fade outs left me feeling like I was about to see a commercial, this movie is great.

This movie deals with aspects of life that people don't like to talk about openly when in reality they are all just part of life: love, friendship, who you are, elderly, and most of all death. This movie addresses death unlike I have seen other movies do. It confronts death straight on and gives you a different view on it all.

Many times during this movie I was left feeling more open minded about things, and this movie also had a wealth of quotes one could live by.

The acting in the movie was good, the messages conveyed are heavy messages that you have to really think about.

The direction, lighting, and cinematography were all fairly good.

I recommend this movie if you want to learn more about yourself and your future.

I admit I was cynical in finding and watching this movie. Beforehand, I felt Oprah's influence would veer the film in a certain direction and it would represent the worst aspects of the TV movie: being treacly, and unrealistic. But Jack Lemmon's presence ensured my interest. (This, after all, was the illustrious actor's last performance.) I was rewarded by a clear-eyed, stirring, and often moving depiction of one man's dignity and the gift of living he bestows on a younger man. Both Lemmon and Azaria lock on to their parts with conviction, and I felt a real loving friendship existed between the men. I learned from this movie: lessons about communication and ideaology. It is a rare gem, honestly portrayed, and further proof (as if we needed any!) of Jack Lemmon's unique and breathtaking talent.