One reviewer talked about the miscasting of Morgan Freeman and Virginia Madsen and I have to agree. Another reviewer also mentioned that many of the issues within the movie were solved too easily and also the idea of Freeman's character being a mentor to a wildly imaginative little girl was implausible, as well.
I got the impression that Rob Reiner had to have Morgan Freeman in the role from the get-go and the role did fit him to a tee. Because Virginia Madsen was a strong actress, she was signed on, too. But there was little believable about why there would be a romantic/sexual attraction between the two for any reason. Virginia's character is very vulnerable yes but she is also vital, sexy, beautiful (the scene of her on the roof when Monte first saw her) and a heck of a lot younger than Freeman's character. Then there is the fact of Monte not being able-bodied and I kept thinking through the movie that would be an issue over time, added to the great age gap.
The setting of the movie was one of the main characters of the film, bucolic and idyllic so it was easy to fall in love with it. One kept thinking, 'where is the place and how can I get there?' Everything is perfect even Monte's cottage is pristine in its masculine decor. That being said I had so many questions. I wanted to know more about Charlotte's husband, about why did she place her treasure trove on the island and what was written in her diary that caused her eldest daughter to suddenly grow less sulky towards her? I did not feel that the mentally handicapped boy/man was believable. The way Monte transformed him so suddenly just was not credible to me. Then the arrival of the literary agent and the Hollywood star who would solve all Monte's financial woes. Too contrived and if this person was an important star, why make such a questionable journey?
Though I may seem too critical, my husband and I enjoyed the film in its generality mainly because they are so few 'feel good' movies anymore. Being an avid movie buff all my life, I am a stickler for plausibility and there were a lot of plot and character holes that could have been realistically plugged. However, if I would have opined that a more mature black woman would have been better cast opposite Freeman and the three girls her granddaughters, would I have seemed racist in my opinion? Now Alfre Woodard would have been my pick overall. Strong,feisty, sexy, mature she'd have been a strong match for Freeman. And more believable, too.
I got the impression that Rob Reiner had to have Morgan Freeman in the role from the get-go and the role did fit him to a tee. Because Virginia Madsen was a strong actress, she was signed on, too. But there was little believable about why there would be a romantic/sexual attraction between the two for any reason. Virginia's character is very vulnerable yes but she is also vital, sexy, beautiful (the scene of her on the roof when Monte first saw her) and a heck of a lot younger than Freeman's character. Then there is the fact of Monte not being able-bodied and I kept thinking through the movie that would be an issue over time, added to the great age gap.
The setting of the movie was one of the main characters of the film, bucolic and idyllic so it was easy to fall in love with it. One kept thinking, 'where is the place and how can I get there?' Everything is perfect even Monte's cottage is pristine in its masculine decor. That being said I had so many questions. I wanted to know more about Charlotte's husband, about why did she place her treasure trove on the island and what was written in her diary that caused her eldest daughter to suddenly grow less sulky towards her? I did not feel that the mentally handicapped boy/man was believable. The way Monte transformed him so suddenly just was not credible to me. Then the arrival of the literary agent and the Hollywood star who would solve all Monte's financial woes. Too contrived and if this person was an important star, why make such a questionable journey?
Though I may seem too critical, my husband and I enjoyed the film in its generality mainly because they are so few 'feel good' movies anymore. Being an avid movie buff all my life, I am a stickler for plausibility and there were a lot of plot and character holes that could have been realistically plugged. However, if I would have opined that a more mature black woman would have been better cast opposite Freeman and the three girls her granddaughters, would I have seemed racist in my opinion? Now Alfre Woodard would have been my pick overall. Strong,feisty, sexy, mature she'd have been a strong match for Freeman. And more believable, too.