Misunderstood (1984)
by Jerry Schatzberg
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VHS Tape Cover Information
Actor: Gene Hackman, Henry Thomas, Huckleberry Fox, Maureen Kerwin, Rip TornDirector: Jerry Schatzberg
Cinematographer: Pasqualino De Santis
Producer: Craig Baumgarten
Producer: Keith Barish
Producer: Mark Lombardo
Producer: Tarak Ben Ammar
Writer: Barra Grant
Writer: Florence Montgomery
Edition: VHS Tape
Format: Color, NTSC
Running Time: 91 minutes
Release Date: 1998-09-01
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Publisher: MGM (Warner)
Studio: MGM (Warner)
VHS Movie Reviews of Misunderstood (1984)
Movie Review: an incredibly moving, unfairly overlooked film
Summary: 5 Stars
if you have ever struggled with a strained relationship with a parent or a rivalry with a sibling, please watch this film. the father of the two boys, gene hackman, is at his best, looking slim and elegant as a wealthy workaholic businessman exported to oversee his company's travails in Tunsia. he is silently, secretively mourning the the death of his beloved wife. unable to properly grieve, he instead turns all his energies towards his work, and virtually abandons his role as the surviving parent, displaying little concern or compassion for his children, especially his oldest child (played by henry thomas, of E.T. fame.)
sadly, except for moments when he's upbraiding, threatening, or harshly criticizing him, promising to have him sent away to a military school, or comparing him unfavourable to his youngest brother, hackman's character has no use for that of thomas's. as the oldest boy, the crushing look of rejection and fear and the overwhelming feeling of failure his fatehr instills in him is written starkly all over the young actor's face. it is an outstanding, brutal, realistic, and nuanced performance.
hackman's "dad" character unconsciously alienates that of thomas's "son," further and further increasing their estrangement as he falls deeper and deeper into his own rage and depression, the rage and depression of a repressed and stifled, unacknowledged and unexpressed grief. he adds further injury to his children by sometimes stopping to fawn over his cutest, youngest, still "good" child, played by the darling huckleberry fox, in the presence of thomas, who has usually just received another verbal tirade, unfeeling glare, or snickering punishment.
one assumes that one of the children must remind hackman more of his dead wife.
perhaps, too, he is still capable of handling the simple interaction w/ the *littlest boy*, the virtual babe, a child barely past toddling, who is still too young to dwell upon and truly understand the finality of death, than he is able to console the older (though quite still young himself, 9 or 10 at the most) son, who is, obviously much savvier and more aware of such things.
despite the older boy's many heartfelt attempts, outright tender pleas, and desperate endeavors to please his dad, the father scarcely pays attention to him. he never communicates any warmth or concern towards him, or even bestows upon him the slightest amount of love. his ignorance is summarized best in a wrenching monologue young thomas gives after being horrible injured in a stunt gone awry: "you never talk to me, you never hold me, you never tell me stories, you never take my hand, you never... understand..." this scene will pull your heart out.
hackman refuses to answer the more difficult questions thomas has: how did his mom die? why did she have to pass away? why did they get married and have him? how should they remember her? WILL they remember her? unfortunately, he also makes no attempts to attend to thomas's increasingly cavalier behavior. instead, he is gruff and indifferent, showing shameless favourtism to his youngest boy (fox), and in the process breaking thomas's spirit and heart.
the tears of an older child who knew well and still grieves for his lost mom are devastating to view alas, go largely unseen and unacknowledged, by his condemned and conflicted father, until a tragedy near the end of the film at last pulls the older man and his forgotten boy together one last time.
this is magnificent acting of the highest caliber from both leading men. hackman is particularly restrained and dignified, creating an amazing amount sympathy for an antagonistic, at times cruel, man.
get out your kleenex, 'cause there won't be a dry eye in the house when this one's on.
if you have ever felt abandoned or alienated by a parent, looked over in favor of a younger or older sibling, or, indeed, simply felt "misunderstood," will love this movie.
~~~~~
as an added bonus, the exotically beautiful region of northern africa makes a fascinating backdrop to this powerful family drama and is lovingly filmed and thoughtfully framed. muted , subtle natural lighting is utilized to the utmost advantage as are the authenticate exotic populace and locales.
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