Review by bettycjung

3/9/18. I watched this for McKellen, and for this one reason it was worth watching. However, as a movie, it was very difficult to watch because it depicts how the institutionalized mentally ill are treated. While not necessarily neglected, as their physical needs are met, their treatment is somewhat mechanical, although Walter (McKellen's character) takes on the task of caring for a fellow housemate with much tenderness. Walter is a mildly retarded man who had the misfortune of outliving his parents at the age 21. With no one to care for him, and he cannot care for himself, he is institutionalized with those severely retarded. This film combined 2 TV movies into one (Walter and Walter & June). Walter survives institutional life and the movie resumes when he is 40. He meets up with another institutionalized patient, a woman with psychiatric problems. They try to make a go at life outside by escaping and being on their own. Walter realizes he cannot survive outside of the institution and returns. McKellen is a true artist. His depiction is just wonderful and compassionate in showing how Walter is capable of loving and caring as those who are not as mentally challenged as he is.