Milton's Secret

This is not your "normal" Hollywood movie or even drama. Although the obvious theme is bullying - which is very important - the real star of this film is Wisdom.

If it is possible to return to time honored traditions of family, love, loyalty and trust this movie allows us to experience these values once again.

Based on the work of Eckhart Tolle but using philosophy judiciously as the icing on the cake, this film allows for the wisdom of an elder to seep into a modern family and realign their priorities.

Terrific family movie and one that the family can discuss for hours around the dinner table - as opposed to viewing their "apps".

Milton Adams is a meek 11 year old boy. Ms. Ferguson (Michelle Rodriguez) is his teacher. His parents (David Sutcliffe, Mia Kirshner) are struggling with personal and money issues. His grandpa Howard (Donald Sutherland) comes for a visit. Milton gets bullied by angry classmate Carter Crane who has an angry father.

The bullying gets really stressful. I like the movie more when it has no easy solutions. That's why I find Howard's self-help guru a bit annoying. I don't mind the attempt but it needs more development. The final bathroom scene is another interesting attempt but it does come off a bit too simplistic. Maybe Howard would face one or two tough hurdles himself. This has such a tough subject matter and the solution feels rather too simple. Some of the self-help talk may have lost a bit translating from the page.

I must say I love this movie, it is valid and it contains current situations that adolescents and adults go through in schools, work,online and in the house, I definitely recommend this film Milton's Secret, as a family time-out and discussion. It is time to rebuild communication line's in our digital age.

Bullying is a good topic to address but with the way things are in the world it's just gonna get worse. If people would actually listen to the advice in this movie and put down their cell phones, and really talk to one another we might just make some progress, instead of regressing.

The storyline is what drew me to watch this movie. It started out slow, but I really wanted to see where it would go and I wasn't disappointed. Donald Sutherland is superb in this. The storyline is very contemporary and credible. I would definitely recommend this. Well written, well acted.