Evidently, this was made in 1995, and was not released until 1998. (Though where it could've possibly played I have no idea). I don't want to be too harsh on it, because it is from the same writer/director of 'The Sixth Sense', a film that I believe will be regarded as a classic some day - if it isn't already.
So many of the same themes and ideas are present here as in "The Sixth Sense", (principally a sensitive young boy suffering under the weight of colossal thoughts and emotions that most kids his age either shun or never consider until years later) that it is interesting to view with that in mind. Unfortunately, however, the film has a hard time standing on its own. I did find it too be too mushy and sentimental and precious in spots - if this film were a car it would be a spotless antique that looks great on a showroom floor - but closer inspection would reveal that it has no engine under it's hood. Or at the very least, no gas in the tank. There isn't enough juice to make the story go, to move forward more than an inch or two at a time. A young boy's beloved grandfather dies, which causes him to go on a mission to verify the existence of God. All fine and good, but there isn't enough of a sense of jeopardy, everything's too safe and easy. The film would've had more gravity and weight if the boy had actually left home and set off for some destination where he believed he might find the answers. Instead, he merely repeats his intention and doesn't do a whole lot to achieve his goal. There just isn't enough there ... there. Certainly not enough to support an hour and a half long feature film.
Having said all that, it does have moments where it approaches the magical. Flashbacks with his grandfather are moving, especially the race track scene where the boy falls down in the middle of the race and then finishes and runs into his grandfather's arms. But the director (I couldn't spell his last name if I tried and I'll lose what I've written if I go back to look) just isn't as sure of himself here as he would later become with "The Sixth Sense". This film lacks the ingenious structure that made his next effort so satisfying. At this point in his career, 1995, he still hadn't found his voice yet; or that key that unlocks the section of his brain that elevates his work from the mundane to the sublime.
Fascinating to watch that development take place with an artist as thoughtful and talented as this one.
So many of the same themes and ideas are present here as in "The Sixth Sense", (principally a sensitive young boy suffering under the weight of colossal thoughts and emotions that most kids his age either shun or never consider until years later) that it is interesting to view with that in mind. Unfortunately, however, the film has a hard time standing on its own. I did find it too be too mushy and sentimental and precious in spots - if this film were a car it would be a spotless antique that looks great on a showroom floor - but closer inspection would reveal that it has no engine under it's hood. Or at the very least, no gas in the tank. There isn't enough juice to make the story go, to move forward more than an inch or two at a time. A young boy's beloved grandfather dies, which causes him to go on a mission to verify the existence of God. All fine and good, but there isn't enough of a sense of jeopardy, everything's too safe and easy. The film would've had more gravity and weight if the boy had actually left home and set off for some destination where he believed he might find the answers. Instead, he merely repeats his intention and doesn't do a whole lot to achieve his goal. There just isn't enough there ... there. Certainly not enough to support an hour and a half long feature film.
Having said all that, it does have moments where it approaches the magical. Flashbacks with his grandfather are moving, especially the race track scene where the boy falls down in the middle of the race and then finishes and runs into his grandfather's arms. But the director (I couldn't spell his last name if I tried and I'll lose what I've written if I go back to look) just isn't as sure of himself here as he would later become with "The Sixth Sense". This film lacks the ingenious structure that made his next effort so satisfying. At this point in his career, 1995, he still hadn't found his voice yet; or that key that unlocks the section of his brain that elevates his work from the mundane to the sublime.
Fascinating to watch that development take place with an artist as thoughtful and talented as this one.