Fred Savage (The Wonder Years) proves that he has capabilities way beyond what anybody would have expected of him. Playing the role of the disabled teenager in the true story could not have been easy, but he does so very convincingly. This film really makes you think about the conditions in homes for the disabled, and wonder how far the truth goes...
14 Reviews
Touching
MistyLea216 September 2001
I have Muscular Dystrophy and my mother was told to put me in a nursing home and Thank God she didn't. But the face is that they did do that to a lot of disabled people back then. This movie was wonderful and touching and Fred Savage played the role well. Is there any way at all to track down a copy of this movie?
A Wonderful Film! With Some Thoughts on the Real Michael Patrick Smith Case
jbartelone11 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
This is a dramatization of real life events in the case of Micheal Patrick Smith, a young adult who suffered the effects of Duchenne Muscular Distrophy and lived in several nursing homes through the coarse of his too-short life. The actual nursing home, on which this film is based, was called Heritage House, where Mike Smith resided in the early 1970's. The film chronicles the terrible conditions that Mike suffered, showing him at two facilities, the later one called Heritage House. (Named Hesperia House in the movie.) It also shows how Mike and a compassionate Recreational Director named Wade Blank, (In the movie called "Wade Black.") sought to bring about better living conditions for the disabled, as well as showing the patients how to advocate their rights to make their lives as comfortable and independent as possible. I found some real-life information below about the actual case doing on on-line Google Search about Wade Blank.
Wade Blank worked at the home from December of 1971 until 1975. When he went to the center for the first time, it was just before Christmas of 1971 and the place was in his words " A morgue." Wade remembered what they ate the first night. Scrambled Eggs, Baked Potato, and Applesauce. The food was cold. Other reports were that cockroaches were found in cereal bowls, Colostomy Bags were not changed regularly, flies buzzed constantly near a patient in a full body cast, patients were shoved into cold showers.
Wade worked for four years to help improve conditions at the home. I learned that he took the kids to a rock concert, just live in the movie. Wade sought to let the young residents have music, such as radios, stereos, and TV's in the rooms. They were allowed to have pets, they could evaluate the nurses. However, when Wade tried to help the kids move out of the home to become more independent, he was fired. All of the reforms that he put in place, such as animal control coming to take the pets away, no music in the rooms, was literally changed overnight. I also understand the abuses at Heritage House and the resulting lawsuit got the whole staff fired! This shows the amazing impact that Wade and Mike made to help the disabled lead better lives!
When You Remember Me is a composite of the above events, with some names changed and some of the above omitted from the movie for legal reasons and time constraints. In the movie, Micheal Patrick Smith, is Micheal Mills. Fred Savage plays Mike Mills and gives an amazing portray of him! Kevin Spacey is wonderful as Wade, and Ellen Burstyn is chilling as the insensitive and "By The Book" rule authoritarian head nurse, Mary Cooder. The best impression of Louse Fletcher's, Nurse Ratshit from "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" that you will ever see!
You feel the pain and agony that these patients endured in this movie, and see the darkness of the facility. It's amazing to observe the energy and feeling that Fred Savage puts into Michael's character, as he tries so much to help change an apathetic and abusive system. Sadly, despite the movie saying at the end that conditions have improved at institutions at this kind, in some regards that may be true. However, in other facilities, it is not. When You Remember Me will make you think about the struggles both physically and emotionally that disabled people experience each day. Highly recommended viewing!
Wade Blank worked at the home from December of 1971 until 1975. When he went to the center for the first time, it was just before Christmas of 1971 and the place was in his words " A morgue." Wade remembered what they ate the first night. Scrambled Eggs, Baked Potato, and Applesauce. The food was cold. Other reports were that cockroaches were found in cereal bowls, Colostomy Bags were not changed regularly, flies buzzed constantly near a patient in a full body cast, patients were shoved into cold showers.
Wade worked for four years to help improve conditions at the home. I learned that he took the kids to a rock concert, just live in the movie. Wade sought to let the young residents have music, such as radios, stereos, and TV's in the rooms. They were allowed to have pets, they could evaluate the nurses. However, when Wade tried to help the kids move out of the home to become more independent, he was fired. All of the reforms that he put in place, such as animal control coming to take the pets away, no music in the rooms, was literally changed overnight. I also understand the abuses at Heritage House and the resulting lawsuit got the whole staff fired! This shows the amazing impact that Wade and Mike made to help the disabled lead better lives!
When You Remember Me is a composite of the above events, with some names changed and some of the above omitted from the movie for legal reasons and time constraints. In the movie, Micheal Patrick Smith, is Micheal Mills. Fred Savage plays Mike Mills and gives an amazing portray of him! Kevin Spacey is wonderful as Wade, and Ellen Burstyn is chilling as the insensitive and "By The Book" rule authoritarian head nurse, Mary Cooder. The best impression of Louse Fletcher's, Nurse Ratshit from "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" that you will ever see!
You feel the pain and agony that these patients endured in this movie, and see the darkness of the facility. It's amazing to observe the energy and feeling that Fred Savage puts into Michael's character, as he tries so much to help change an apathetic and abusive system. Sadly, despite the movie saying at the end that conditions have improved at institutions at this kind, in some regards that may be true. However, in other facilities, it is not. When You Remember Me will make you think about the struggles both physically and emotionally that disabled people experience each day. Highly recommended viewing!
Brilliant
jensen-1027 February 2000
Most of the other 'comments' I have read missed the point of the movie. One person had the nerve to refer to the lead charachtor as arrogant. My friend, that was hope.
I am a person who has lived through this most devastating of disorders, both brothers had Duchenne muscular dystrophy and are now dead. 'When You Remember Me' captures the soul of a person with DMD in that nomatter what happens, make the best of it. No matter what a person may appear to be/have(disability/color of skin/sex, illness) look at the person inside.
This movie is both insperational and depressing. It must be noted that this is a true story (dramatised) and that people live this every day.
I am a person who has lived through this most devastating of disorders, both brothers had Duchenne muscular dystrophy and are now dead. 'When You Remember Me' captures the soul of a person with DMD in that nomatter what happens, make the best of it. No matter what a person may appear to be/have(disability/color of skin/sex, illness) look at the person inside.
This movie is both insperational and depressing. It must be noted that this is a true story (dramatised) and that people live this every day.
I wish I could forget
Random Terrain2 February 2002
I don't want to remember "When You Remember Me," but I'm sure it will be etched into my mind for eternity. I understand that Fred Savage wasn't considered the greatest actor of the 20th century, but holy cow! A little more research and practice wouldn't have hurt.
I've heard that people work just as hard on bad movies as they do on good ones, but I wonder if the cast and crew knew they were working on a poorly done rip-off of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." If everybody realizes they are making something that isn't that good, maybe they don't really work "just as hard."
I'm not saying that everyone in the cast was terrible. People such as Kevin Spacey are almost always good and Ellen Burstyn did a great "Nurse Ratched" impression.
I've heard that people work just as hard on bad movies as they do on good ones, but I wonder if the cast and crew knew they were working on a poorly done rip-off of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." If everybody realizes they are making something that isn't that good, maybe they don't really work "just as hard."
I'm not saying that everyone in the cast was terrible. People such as Kevin Spacey are almost always good and Ellen Burstyn did a great "Nurse Ratched" impression.
Brilliant, heartwarming and thought provoking.
trudiyeates28 October 2013
Watched the film for the first time 3 days ago. I was so glued to the TV as the performance/story line/emotion had me glued. Amazing acting around such a dramatic heart wrenching story. Many aspects that were covered such as disability, care quality within the health care system, and the strength/determination of the disabled child living in a world which included those who did not care.
The phrase he wrote about remembering him made me cry a little because it was so beautiful. I hope the film has woken many people up with regard to the plight of the disabled. Well done to all who made this beautiful thought provoking film. I applaud you.
The phrase he wrote about remembering him made me cry a little because it was so beautiful. I hope the film has woken many people up with regard to the plight of the disabled. Well done to all who made this beautiful thought provoking film. I applaud you.
Trying to forget
chrisdee-215 March 1999
Film about a rebel rouser in a run down hospital for disabled kids. Imagine "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" from a snotty kid's perspective and you have this mess of a film. Direction, script, acting and just about every other form of input in this film is stilted and weak. The fact that Spacey spent his time on this film is truly disheartening--good thing is that you realize that no matter how great an actor one maybe, direction and script are very important. Do not watch unless you want a reason to put your fist through the television.
Best Made-For-TV Film Ever Made
Ross-353 May 1999
Fred Savage puts across a brilliant performance in the heart-warming film, showing that there is more to him than 'The Wonder Years'. I was surprised that this film was only made TV because it is a lot better than a lot of the things that get released at the cinema. I suggest you look out for it in the future on Channel 4 or Film Four in the U.K. because it is definitely worth watching.
This is a real movie about real people
peary8514 April 2008
My husband used to work with Wade. He knew or still knows some of the individuals that are in this movie as they are in real life. It's a mostly true portrayal of actual events. They did actually go to the concert that was portrayed in the movie and many others in the long run. If some think that it's a bad remake of "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, I wish just for one day they could live Mike's life. You'd no longer criticize this movie. For those of you that can't forget the movie, I'm glad that it's made that type of an impact and I hope when you see someone like Mike you offer assistance.
I also encourage people to get involved as there are still people living like Mike was. Our government has laws in place that keep people trapped in nursing homes instead of being able to be productive members of society. Just because a person's body doesn't work like most doesn't mean they don't have a mind. Check out www . adapt . com for more information on the true lives of these individuals.
I also encourage people to get involved as there are still people living like Mike was. Our government has laws in place that keep people trapped in nursing homes instead of being able to be productive members of society. Just because a person's body doesn't work like most doesn't mean they don't have a mind. Check out www . adapt . com for more information on the true lives of these individuals.
Movie review.
murphy116930 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Fed Savage played the part really well .He's a great actor. It's wrong what happened to Micheal in that home. Mrs Cudder was an awful person she would have gladly left Micheal for dead she's a nasty piece of work. Well someone will do the same to her what goes around comes around. I believe in karma. However it's a really good movie and would recommend to anyone who hasn't seen it.
great movie
fam.mangold3 May 2001
I saw this movie some years ago and I just couldn't forget it afterwards. It has never been on Dutch television again and I unfortunately forgot the title. Till a friend recommended this site. I remembered that the starfigure played Kevin in The Wonder Years, so I found the title very quick!! It's movie you'll keep remembering. You just can't forget the children, their fears, their experiences and their joy. A great roll from Fred Savage!!
One to watch
vicky_40116 September 2002
Although not the best film ever made, Fred Savage's portrayal as a kid with muscular dystrophy alone is reason to watch this film.
It is very much like One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, with the same forceful style nurse, and one patient (Mike Mills) who knows the real medicine the patients need. A great film
It is very much like One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, with the same forceful style nurse, and one patient (Mike Mills) who knows the real medicine the patients need. A great film
Not Bad
Erin-4028 July 1999
It really wasn't all that bad, no it wasn't Emmy material either, but we can deal.
The main reason to watch this made for TV movie is the acting. Kevin Spacey is great as always, and Fred Savage actually gets a chance to act without a hovering voice butting in.
despite being a little depressing at times, it is overall pretty worthwhile. One of the major flaws I noticed though was that even though this poor kid is enduring these horrible things in this nursing home, you have to wonder, Were is this boy's mother?!?!?! I was really hoping the aid, Wade (Kevin Spacey) would adopt the poor kid and make his short life better. But don't worry, he does come to the rescue in the end.
Go for it...you may be surprised.
The main reason to watch this made for TV movie is the acting. Kevin Spacey is great as always, and Fred Savage actually gets a chance to act without a hovering voice butting in.
despite being a little depressing at times, it is overall pretty worthwhile. One of the major flaws I noticed though was that even though this poor kid is enduring these horrible things in this nursing home, you have to wonder, Were is this boy's mother?!?!?! I was really hoping the aid, Wade (Kevin Spacey) would adopt the poor kid and make his short life better. But don't worry, he does come to the rescue in the end.
Go for it...you may be surprised.
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