The Wizard of Loneliness

Like many who saw this film long ago, it sticks in the mind, returning every so often, asking me to watch it again. I have been a fan of Lukas Haas ever since Witness and he is perfect in this film (as he also is in Lady in White, the film he did after this one). John Randolph, a character actor I have always liked, is wonderful and that line of his: "Time's going by so fast it makes your ears whistle" has lingered in my memory for decades. Dylan Baker, always good at crazy, is appropriately creepy. And Lea Thomas is great. Wonderful casting all around. But, really, it is just a beautiful script by Jenny Bowen (who also directed) and Nancy Larson, from the novel by John Nichols (whose films never seem to be big hits). Jenny Bowen, disappointingly, never had much of a career despite her delicate handling of this script. Jenny Bowen as well has only had minimal success though her screenplay of Within the Whirlwind was made into a very fine movie in 2009.

I truly like these kinds of small independent films far more than big Hollywood productions and wish more of them could be made. There is such talent out there, it is just so rarely tapped.

This director got natural performances from her younger cast and selected adults who provided anchoring performances. I will have to read the novel to see how much they adapted for the screen. As of February 2020 it is available as part of Amazon Prime so do take a look!

I have been searching for this movie for years after seeing it on late night television in the early 90's, with no luck. After learning it only received 84 votes on IMDb, i realized why... no one has seen the damn thing! So, I feel it is my duty to recommend this unique and unforgettable film to anyone who may stumble across it in the wasteland that is cable or the dusty old drama section of mom and pop video stores.

If only I could remember more about it! Certain scenes have stayed with me for years, while others have unfortunately faded with the passage of time. I remember young Lucas Haas and his horror at discovering his beloved pet rabbit has eaten her young, as well as his relationship with a deranged stranger who may or may not be his father. Along, with a few other scenes, these are the only things I can remember specifically about the movie.

Regardless, I stand by my original statement that this is quite a memorable film. What I have not forgotten, nor am I likely to, is the heart wrenching tone of the movie. The acting is excellent, and Haas especially is mesmerizing. You feel very strongly for these characters, which makes the films bleak atmosphere even more involving.

I saw this movie once, more than ten years ago, and even then it was edited for television. Still, it has stuck with me, and if that isn't a sign of great film-making, I don't know what is. I give it an eight, simply because I cannot remember it in it's entirety, preventing me from giving it a 10, which I suspect it deserves.

If anyone finds it, please give it a try and let me know what you think. I would love to know if this film really is as remarkable as I remember it to be.

I enjoyed this movie too and it used to be on VHS but I have not been able to find it anywhere, I had forgotten the title but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I even looked under Lukas Haas in Netflex and they do not have it list of movies. I hope it comes out on DVD soon. Even though Lukas Haas was quite young (just a few years older then when he was when he made Witness)he made the movie very interesting. The movie was well done about a boy who has lost his mother and his father has to go off to war so he must stay with relatives. He also believes he has super powers. It has been probably twenty years since I have seen this movie but I still remember most of it. I would love to see it again.