Saw this Gibson epic about ten years ago. Caught it last night on HBO and maybe it is just time or the political environment - but - this is a subtle story of pedophilia "grooming" masquerading as some sort of summertime coming-of-age, angst and misfortune melodrama.
If you are reading this little review of mine - I think you've probably read some of the others - so I will not bore you with the plot. However, young Nick Stahl, who gives a great performance, as does Mr. Gibson, meet under unusual circumstances and Nick "picks" Gibson to be his summertime tutor in order to pass a tough exam for military school.
This first time I watched I would and did agree with most reviews that it was a "heartwarming" episode of two people coming together, learning more about themselves and in the end after great angst proceeding along life's highway with a better sense of self.
However, it is a the clever slight of hand that I discovered watching it a second time.
Gibson's character is a mess. Due to a very questionable relationship many years previous in which a young boy is burned to death - he serves time in jail - for exactly what is never exposed - unless I missed it. Remember this is 1960 and sexual abuse was buried way deep. When Nick's character is asked by his mother if he has been "touched" - Nick says yes. This motivates the mother to report Gibson to the local authorities. I now believe Nick was "touched" and welcomed the sexual attention. The audience is fooled into believing that Nick's character is "misunderstood" and being "touched" was only a minor handshake or pat on the back. Nick's character is much smarter than that. Even in 1960 - being "touched" meant fondling and other sexual activity.
Gibson's character was slowly grooming Stahl's character into a homosexual relationship. Boylove it is called. It would have been more palatable and more realistic if the sexual nature was explored intelligently. Instead, it is covered up with digging holes and passive/aggressive behaviours. While I personally believe it is a very dangerous road (illegal in most cases) to travel for an adult to explore physical sex with an underage minor, especially one as vulnerable as Stahl's character - it is an unfortunate reality that transcends all demographics.
I still would recommend this film - but watch with eyes wide open!
If you are reading this little review of mine - I think you've probably read some of the others - so I will not bore you with the plot. However, young Nick Stahl, who gives a great performance, as does Mr. Gibson, meet under unusual circumstances and Nick "picks" Gibson to be his summertime tutor in order to pass a tough exam for military school.
This first time I watched I would and did agree with most reviews that it was a "heartwarming" episode of two people coming together, learning more about themselves and in the end after great angst proceeding along life's highway with a better sense of self.
However, it is a the clever slight of hand that I discovered watching it a second time.
Gibson's character is a mess. Due to a very questionable relationship many years previous in which a young boy is burned to death - he serves time in jail - for exactly what is never exposed - unless I missed it. Remember this is 1960 and sexual abuse was buried way deep. When Nick's character is asked by his mother if he has been "touched" - Nick says yes. This motivates the mother to report Gibson to the local authorities. I now believe Nick was "touched" and welcomed the sexual attention. The audience is fooled into believing that Nick's character is "misunderstood" and being "touched" was only a minor handshake or pat on the back. Nick's character is much smarter than that. Even in 1960 - being "touched" meant fondling and other sexual activity.
Gibson's character was slowly grooming Stahl's character into a homosexual relationship. Boylove it is called. It would have been more palatable and more realistic if the sexual nature was explored intelligently. Instead, it is covered up with digging holes and passive/aggressive behaviours. While I personally believe it is a very dangerous road (illegal in most cases) to travel for an adult to explore physical sex with an underage minor, especially one as vulnerable as Stahl's character - it is an unfortunate reality that transcends all demographics.
I still would recommend this film - but watch with eyes wide open!