Different Drummers

As I write this review I'm crying like a baby. The movie has just finished. Not many movies reduce me to tears like this one. There are few words that could describe the sensitivity of this story. It deals with not only the major illness of muscular dystrophy but also the misunderstood condition of hyperactivity. The innocence of a little boy who always found himself in trouble with the powers that be but he didn't understand why that if anything at all went wrong, he was always to blame. A teacher who used clichés that are readily understood by adults is frustrated when a child doesn't understand what she is saying so he uses his resources to undercover the meaning, only to believe she means the opposite. When the movie began I cringed at the acting abilities of some of the cast but as the story developed, I forgot to cringe and the storyline is strong enough to overcome acting limitations.

I gave Different Drummers a 9/10 because of the sensitive way that two medical conditions were brought together through children... one with no energy and one with too much.

Different Drummers is a "tell all your friends" movie. When people ask me what makes this movie one I highly recommend, I am quick to tell them it's a TRUE story. A story of two young boys - one with Muscular Dystrophy and one diagnosed with ADHD- who experience an unlikely connection and develop a treasured friendship. They help each other tackle problems, dream big dreams, and navigate limitations.

I was pleased to discover that the movie stays true to the book and maintains the essence of this tender story. The characters are believable, sensitive, and brave. There may be tears at the end, but rest assured that you will smile when you think of this uplifting story.

I think this movie did an excellent job of portraying the meaning of friendship,the mystery of why bad things happen to good people, the frustration of fighting through injustice, and the complexity of self-doubt, wondering both whether we have done enough for our cause, and what role,if any, God plays in our problems.

It was a very simple story and a very emotional one, plus it was one to which it was easy for just about anyone to relate. It was also much more emotional that I expected, and there were many handkerchiefs and Kleenexes in use during the movie.

Both of the lead actors quickly became believable and real. The distinction between how Lyle affected his principal, and how he affected many other adults was an example of which all adults should take note, too.

It's a great movie for what someone can do for someone else regarding friendship, but if you are serious about following Jesus and the principles that you are teaching your children and who God is, what His character is,how His love is, then this is not a movie that I will recommend.There is no mention of Jesus, not ever another friend that are brought to Christ,no parent telling the children about God and teaching them about him,no mention of the Bible or any scripture or discernment and advertising it as a Christian movie is false, all hope is given in an imaginable way and not as the true hope and life of what your life can be in Christ through His love and saving.Then at least be honest and say its just a memoir of a boy with an illness and a great friendship instead of trying to make it a movie where its an example for children how to live for Jesus,that is not what this is.

Great little movie. Fabulous cast. Entertaining... exciting- had me and my grandson sitting up screaming NOOOOOO- we laughed, we cried, we cheered! It also deals with the sensitive topic of illness during a time when children are really too young to understand it's limitations. This movie is the full-meal deal. We absolutely loved it!! Don't miss it!