MovieTalk at the American Library in Karlsruhe
Details
Film of the month:
[?]*
(Directed by Lasse Hallström, 1999; 2h 6m; FSK: ab 12)
Homer Wells is an orphan growing up in an orphanage in St. Cloud, Maine under the kindly, principled direction of Dr. Larch. As Homer showed an early aptitude for the medical profession, he has become the doctor’s protégé, helping to take care of the younger orphans and desperate, pregnant women. Yet Homer yearns to experience more of the world and takes an opportunity to strike out on his own.
A coming-of-age story set in the 1940s, beautifully filmed in the idyllic New England countryside. Screenplay by John Irving, based on his novel of the same name. Won two Academy Awards. Starring Tobey Maguire, Michael Caine, Charlize Theron, Paul Rudd, Delroy Lindo, and Erykah Badu.
“A gentle, beautifully acted fable about a young man's journey into the world, his loss of innocence and his acquiring of values that reflect the lessons learned on his journey.”
— Stephen Holden, The New York Times
“The film addresses two serious issues: abortion and incest. […] By having main characters on both sides of the abortion issue, [?]* manages to give the debate a reasonably balanced perspective.”
— James Berardinelli, ReelViews
“What the film is really about are CHOICES: the need to make them, how they affect others, and actively dealing with the repercussions of your actions.”
— Ron Wells, Film Threat
“[?]* follows every rule in the book and still has the capacity to surprise us. Deeply enjoyable, well-crafted and sensibly conventional, it’s not the kind of movie you see every day. You could almost call it subversive.”
— Stephanie Zacharek, Salon
Shown in English. Admission is free.
American Library in Karlsruhe
Kanalweg 52, 76149 Karlsruhe, Tel.: 0721-72752
*We aren't legally allowed to advertise the films we show by name, but we may describe them!