The Mighty Review
by Michael Dequina (michael_jordan AT geocities DOT com)October 7th, 1998
_The_Mighty_ (PG-13) *** 1/2 (out of ****)
Young Max Kane's (Elden Henson) life is made forever richer through his friendship with Kevin Dillon (Kieran Culkin), an intelligent boy with a growth defect. Sounds an awful lot like the recently released _Simon_Birch_, and for a while _The_Mighty_, based on Rodman Philbrick's novel _Freak_the_Mighty_, appears to be a more gimmicky version of the same story. In this film, both of the boys are outcasts; like Kevin, Max is also often pestered by bullies, but over his abnormally large size and a learning disability. United as one, with the diminutive Kevin perched atop Max's broad shoulders, the two set forth to do chivalrous deeds in the spirit of the legendary King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.
Yet as it progresses, the understated _The_Mighty_ makes a more profound emotional impact than the mawkish and manipulative _Simon_Birch_. Instead of relying on maudlin music cues and a barrage of heavy-handed dialogue spelling out how its elfin lead is destined to do great things, driector Peter Chelsom has faith enough in his script (written by Charles Leavitt) and his cast to allow them to strike emotional chords on their own--and the lead actors, in particular, succeed marvelously. Culkin proves to be a much greater talent than his has-been older brother in the showier of the two main roles, but the real discovery is Henson, whose performance is made all the more endearing and heartbreaking by its remarkable warmth and subtlety. A few false notes are hit: a subplot involving the unwelcome return of Max's felon father (James Gandolfini) is a needless distraction, and Sharon Stone and a barely recognizable Gillian Anderson try a bit too hard as, respectively, Kevin's caring mother and an alcoholic whose past is tied to Max's. Ultimately, though, it's _The_Mighty_'s overall of _not_ trying too hard that makes it a genuinely moving film and a likely word-of-mouth hit. (opens October 9)
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Michael Dequina
mrbrown@iname.com | michael_jordan@geocities.com
Mr. Brown's Movie Site: http://welcome.to/mrbrown
CompuServe Hollywood Hotline: http://www.HollywoodHotline.com
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