A triumph in all regards, from the terrific performances by young leads Elden Henson and Kieran Culkin to the top-notch directing of British filmmaker Peter Chelsom, "The Mighty" is a potent fall release for Miramax Films, with strong mainstream appeal and possible awards consideration.
Based on the 1993 novel by Rodman Philbrick, beautifully adapted by screenwriter Charles Leavitt, "The Mighty" centers on two misfit kids in gritty south Cincinnati who form a strong friendship growing out of their strengths and nearly overwhelming deficiencies. Kevin (Kieran Culkin) is smart, inventive, but equipped with leg braces and slowly succumbing to Morquio's Syndrome, a degenerative disease that stops the bones from growing while his internal organs continue to develop normally. Big, quiet and nearly shut off from the world, Max is derided as a teenage Frankenstein by his contemporaries and seems to have serious learning problems.
In persuasive, nicely realized sequences, brainy Kevin introduces Max to the legend of King Arthur and fires up his imagination, as well as officially and unofficially becoming his tutor. Max helps Kevin navigate through the world by carrying on his shoulders the little guy, helping him realize such impossible dreams as dunking a basketball. Together they achieve a level of popularity and self-esteem neither would have a chance to on their own.
The obstacles they face are formidable, from a gang of juvenile delinquents to Max's criminal father who gets out on parole and comes looking for his son. The emotional barometer swings gently from humor to sadness to joy when the boys' adventures turn out well. There will be few dry eyes in the final section as both Kevin and Max face the point of no return, but both nobly embrace their fates and win a place in one's heart. Providing strong support are Sharon Stone as Kevin's brave mother, Harry Dean Stanton and Gena Rowlands as Max's protective grandparents, and James Gandolfini as the dreaded bogeyman who gets the comeuppance he deserves.
THE MIGHTY
Miramax Films
A Scholastic Productions Simon Fields production
A Peter Chelsolm film
CREDITS
Director:Peter Chelsom
Screenwriter:Charles Leavitt
Producers:Jane Startz, Simon Fields
Co-producer:Don Carmody
Executive producers:Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein, Julie Goldstein
Director of photography:John De Borman
Production designer:Caroline Hanania
Editor:Martin Walsh
Music:Trevor Jones
Costume designer:Marie Sylvie Deveau
Casting:Barbara Cohen, Mary Gail Artz
CAST:
Maxwell Kane:Elden Henson
Kevin Dillon:Kieran Culkin
Gwen Dillon:Sharon Stone
Grim:Harry Dean Stanton
Gram:Gena Rowlands
Loretta Lee:Gillian Anderson
Iggy:Meat Loaf
Kenny Kane:James Gandolfini
¥Running time: 100 minutes...
Based on the 1993 novel by Rodman Philbrick, beautifully adapted by screenwriter Charles Leavitt, "The Mighty" centers on two misfit kids in gritty south Cincinnati who form a strong friendship growing out of their strengths and nearly overwhelming deficiencies. Kevin (Kieran Culkin) is smart, inventive, but equipped with leg braces and slowly succumbing to Morquio's Syndrome, a degenerative disease that stops the bones from growing while his internal organs continue to develop normally. Big, quiet and nearly shut off from the world, Max is derided as a teenage Frankenstein by his contemporaries and seems to have serious learning problems.
In persuasive, nicely realized sequences, brainy Kevin introduces Max to the legend of King Arthur and fires up his imagination, as well as officially and unofficially becoming his tutor. Max helps Kevin navigate through the world by carrying on his shoulders the little guy, helping him realize such impossible dreams as dunking a basketball. Together they achieve a level of popularity and self-esteem neither would have a chance to on their own.
The obstacles they face are formidable, from a gang of juvenile delinquents to Max's criminal father who gets out on parole and comes looking for his son. The emotional barometer swings gently from humor to sadness to joy when the boys' adventures turn out well. There will be few dry eyes in the final section as both Kevin and Max face the point of no return, but both nobly embrace their fates and win a place in one's heart. Providing strong support are Sharon Stone as Kevin's brave mother, Harry Dean Stanton and Gena Rowlands as Max's protective grandparents, and James Gandolfini as the dreaded bogeyman who gets the comeuppance he deserves.
THE MIGHTY
Miramax Films
A Scholastic Productions Simon Fields production
A Peter Chelsolm film
CREDITS
Director:Peter Chelsom
Screenwriter:Charles Leavitt
Producers:Jane Startz, Simon Fields
Co-producer:Don Carmody
Executive producers:Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein, Julie Goldstein
Director of photography:John De Borman
Production designer:Caroline Hanania
Editor:Martin Walsh
Music:Trevor Jones
Costume designer:Marie Sylvie Deveau
Casting:Barbara Cohen, Mary Gail Artz
CAST:
Maxwell Kane:Elden Henson
Kevin Dillon:Kieran Culkin
Gwen Dillon:Sharon Stone
Grim:Harry Dean Stanton
Gram:Gena Rowlands
Loretta Lee:Gillian Anderson
Iggy:Meat Loaf
Kenny Kane:James Gandolfini
¥Running time: 100 minutes...
- 5/22/1998
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.