Tim

"Tim" is possibly the most unknown and under-rated of all the films Mel Gibson has done. It is certainly one of the best and proved, quite early in his career, that he knows his craft very well and is well able to carry off a challenging role to perfection. The title character, Tim, is seeking to know the adult world around him without an adults' understanding of the subtilties of life. Mel Gibson plays the part to perfection, neither feeling sorry for himself nor being so crass as to portray this child/man as "cute and silly". He is simple, "Not the full quid", as Tim puts it. But he feels all of an adults needs and finds the person to explain life to him in a way he can understand. Piper Laurie, as Mary, becomes the most important person in Tim's life; and she plays the role with a kindness and compassion usually not seen in today's actors. This film is a must for anyone concerned with raising and educating a child with the challenge of a mental handicap. One could hope that Mel will do more movies of this type, with the love and understanding and true actor's ability he shows in this, his second movie.

MovieAddict2005 painted a very cruel picture of a very sensitive picture.. Mel Gibson's feeling for the not-too-bright, but likable character Tim was a great tribute to the all-round acting talent of a man too easily typecast as an action actor. Piper Laurie was as ever a joy to watch in the difficult part of "the older woman" and endured ageism , (possibly exhibited a little by MovieAddict2005) with dignity, as did Gibson's character against narrow-minded people who are more "retarded" than he is..

The growing love between them - which came from nowhere, as it should -was as beautiful and real as acting can get.

If the overall production was modest, that's OK. Hollywood is not necessarily the best presenter of simple yet complex human conflict and pain.Australian movies, as shown by such as "Mariel's Wedding" (yes, I know about the spelling) have moved on since the uncomfortable silences of the wooden TV series "Spy Force" and the sheer embarrassment of the "cult" "The Outback"

The Yahoo Movies (sorry!) review described "Tim" as "superb". Rightly Though I dislike numeric ratings, I was asked for one - I gave 7/10. If this sounds low, I'd give the marvellous "The Elephant Man" only 9, even though it has the most moving moment in movie history - the close-up of Anthony Hopkins' face when he realises Merrick could read. You could feel the tears in his eyes as they came to your own. "Tim"'s close-ups could not hope to match this, but they were quietly stunning

No film has ever got 10 - perfection doesn't exist. I would score even Citizen Kane, the greatest of all, 9.5. But "Tim" gets 9/10 for sincerity

Caught this film on cable, late night, a few years back. No idea what to expect, just wasn't ready to go to bed. By the time it ended, it was in my Top 10 of all time. Certainly the lowest budgeted film (accounting for inflation, anyway) on that list.

Gibson was terrific, capturing a handicapped young man perfectly. But, hey, the entire cast was great, especially Awyn Kurts as Tim's father. And, after appreciating Piper Laurie for years and years, that night I fell in love with her.

I've never seen such a "tight" little film. I doubt that there were more than 12 seconds of even semi-wasted frames. Michael Pate did an amazing job.

Tim is an illiterate young man with a slight mental handicap. He does odd jobs in the neighbourhood. When Mary an intelligent and well-to-do neighbour asks him back to do another job for her, he says simply and honestly."I like you". This begins a new phase in Tim's life. On the one hand he has an over-protective family and on the other a teacher and a friend who takes him in hand and expands his horizons. Mel Gibson in one of his early films does a great job in getting inside Tim's character - simple and innocent, honest and sincere, never mawkish, never over-dramatic. This is a gentle film with the accent on family life. You can feel the exhilaration when Mary takes Tim to the beach and the childish exuberance as he plunges into the sea. Undoubtedly, he makes her feel young again. Mary is a bit of a mystery at first. What are her motives? Is she just expressing a motherly instinct when she feels she needs to care for him or does she see something more in their relationship.. Undoubtedly she is physically attracted to him as he goes about his gardening in neat T=shirt and shorts. I feel that in the beginning of the film Tim's family is just too perfect to be true, but when disaster strikes it becomes a real family with all the emotions that beset them. Mary seeks advice from a psychologist friend about her feelings towards Tim. I really doubt that the answer he gives is correct or practicable for a woman of her standing, but it makes for a happy ending!

Even though we now live in the 21st century, there are still many people who cannot bring themselves to accept anything that is out of the "norm". There still exist segments of our societies, that perpetuate the practices of intolerance.....especially when it comes to romance. For such individuals, this movie "TIM", is no doubt unbearable to even look at.

However, for those of us who are not stuck in the ways of the closed minded past, "TIM" is an example of a movie that is ahead of it's time. It is the touching story of two people, who find happiness and love, through an unorthodox relationship.

This film explores a romantic relationship between two people, that on paper, would seem almost unbelievable. Yet magnificently, this story is portrayed so well on screen, that it seems as realistic and natural as any other common relationship.

Yes Mel Gibson is in this film, but as a heterosexual male, my favorite character is played by leading lady Piper Laurie...........Who just so happens to be H - O - T, Hot Hot Hot !!!!!

In the words of young people today, " She's a real M.I.L.F. !!!!! " My goodness,......that flaming red hair and that navy blue bathing suit she wears at the end.....(Oh be still my beating heart !!!!) Piper Laurie is absolutely gorgeous in this film. If you can appreciate the beauty of an older woman, then this DVD is worth buying just to see her !!

What makes this movie so sweet though, is that there is nothing in this story that is perverted about their romance. You truly fall in love with Piper Laurie, as an honest woman who genuinely cares. Although she is an accomplished and successful woman, she is as emotionally innocent as Mel Gibson's character. Their romance develops naturally, and without sex as an ulterior motive.

This film, in it's own quiet little way, shows us that just because a relationship might seem bizarre to you, does not mean that there's anything wrong with it. The love of a lifetime, can spring forth between the most unlikely people.