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Visitors Review

DrScore 2012-05-20 03:04:16

Another awesome road movie from Freeman

Morgan J. Freeman delivers a heartfelt road movie about twenty yr oldsmall time criminal Daniel (Mark Webber) who drives a 6 yr. old orphan(Antonio Ortiz) across country to reunite the boy with his sister. Daniel works as a janitor at an elementary school, doing his 240 hrs ofcommunity service painting over graffiti and reading to the kids. Abond forms between Daniel and young Boone, a fatherless boy who isabout to lose his mom. When Boone is taken to an orphanage, Danieltakes matters into his own hands and drives Boone from NY to FLA, whereBoone's sister lives. The pleasures are simple as Daniel and Booneenjoy life on the road. The film has a sweet, dappled 70's vibe as thetwo camp out, go shopping, and jump on hotel beds. The characters arehonestly drawn and memorably portrayed. Webber is especially likable asa young man at the crossroads. Morgan's previous film, Piggy Banks, is also a road movie, althoughmuch different in tone. It's about two young brothers who happen to beserial killers. It's an incredible, tense, enlightening film about amuch different kind of life on the road. Freeman has really hit hisstride with these two road movies.

2012-05-19 21:39:55

Enjoyable little film

I enjoyed this little indi flick v. much.Mark Webber was enjoyable to watch - I am not familiar with his work but would definitely check out his other projects at this point.The 6 year old child lead was impressive as well except I dont see many real life six year olds so well behaved and able to express themselves so clearly. It was delightful to watch Mr. Webber's character "become a man" during their time together.Daniel is the 20 year old sentenced to do community service at an elementary school where he meets Boone. They bond, Boone is sent off to "an orphanage" (I wasnt clear what happened to his mum) and Daniel decides to kidnap and drive him to his sister's out of state. (Not clear why the sister wasn't contacted more traditionally?)It is about their relationship, Daniel growing, and Boone just being delightful. The time flew by while watching which is always a good sign.It was a bit flawed (see comments above) but overall it was a fine watch. I would have preferred a more satisfying ending and perhaps closure with Boone's character - to know Daniel's "kidnapping" was worth it.Rosie Perez's character (as school principal) was written and performed well. I also enjoyed Daniel's best friend portrayal by Brendan Sexton III (where only in film can the jobless petty criminials afford nice apartments in NYC).

2012-05-18 18:50:08

Worth watching

This review is from: Just Like the Son (DVD) I saw a preview for this movie a long time ago and I wanted to see it really bad. I decided to purchase it and I don't regret the purchase but I would have rented it if I had the option. The movie is cute and sad in the fact that it shows holes in the legal system when it comes to the custody of children in the system.

george.schmidt 2012-05-18 03:54:24

Echoes of '70s golden age; Webber gives a heartfelt performance; Freeman a talent to watch

JUST LIKE THE SON (2007) - *** FILM REVIEW BY GEORGE SCHMIDTDaniel Carter (Mark Webber) is a young man on a path to nowhere fastwho is trying the patience of the judicial system for his continuousstreak of misdemeanors landing him thisclose to a for-real prisonsentence and his father Bill (Bruce MacVittie) has lost his patience tothe point that Daniel realizes he must move out and fulfill his 240hours of assigned community service.In the interim he stays with his best friend, Grant Bills (BrendanSexton III) in his small apartment in Greenwich Village, where he cancrash as he preps himself to face being a janitor in a public schoolwhere he is under the supervision of the principal, Mrs. Ponders (RosiePerez), who is a no-nonsense type who sets the tone that if he doesn'tdo as he's supposed to there will be trouble.One day she asks Daniel to watch over a class of young children as sheawaits a substitute teacher to arrive. Daniel at first is supposed tosimply stand guard outside the classroom but when he sees a small boy,who he met previously in the bathroom, being harassed, Daniel doesn'tthink or hesitate and enters the room, telling the kids to settle downand behave themselves. Momentarily Mrs. Ponders returns and at firstadmonishes Daniel for taking a large leap at responsibility, but thensees how he managed to put the class in order acquiesces by allowinghim to read a book aloud to the children. Daniel seems to have found anew home and surprisingly enjoying the moment to the point that the subeven says he's welcome anytime to pop in and read to the kids.Daniel begins to befriend the little boy, Boone (Antonio Ortiz), aseemingly happy, mulatto with a huge 'fro and a smile to with it. Thetwo bond quickly even to the point of Boone informing Daniel that hismother is sick and he may have to return to foster care.When Daniel discovers it the next day that Boone is not in school andMrs. Ponders will not share the reasons why, he puts two and twotogether and decides to find the boy for himself.What follows is a funny, heartfelt and joyful 'kidnapping' by Daniel –after Grant obliges to drive him upstate to locate Boone first – andthe purpose he assumes to have in his lackadaisical life is in keepingthe child for himself. The two forge a tight, loving relationship asthey drive cross-country to find Boone's estranged older sister. Filmmaker Morgan J. Freeman offers a throwback in a way to '70s eraroad trips and dysfunctional family films echoing Cassavettes,Bogdonavich and Spielberg but sure- handedly making the film his ownwith a breezy, carefree tone throughout with just the right amount oftension on the edges as one feels the dread of Daniel & Boone's odysseyof self- discovery to be yanked out from their footing. In the meantimeit is a fun, endearingly lovely and at times poignant character studyin depicting a young man who may never had the love he so desperatelywants to give to another human being, someone who is not even hisblood, to show how meaningful life can be, even when he has nothing toshow for it.Webber, an amiable sort perhaps best known as the 'is he or isn't he'long-lost son of Bill Murray in "Broken Flowers", proves to be a decentactor recalling traces of the aforementioned golden age's Jon Voight,Dustin Hoffman and Richard Dreyfuss – anti-heroic heroes; men who don'twant to follow but to lead but just don't know how to do it properly.His Daniel may be impulsive but he is not stupid; he knows ultimatelythe price to pay in the long run which makes the trip all toobittersweet.Newcomer Ortiz is a treasure; a real natural with no trace of precocitywhich is in itself a sigh of relief. He counterbalances his scenes withWebber nicely and more importantly, believably. An organic relationshipat is basic core: unrequited love.The clear-eyed cinematography by Yaron Orbach, rustic peaceful music byBritta Phillips and Dean Wareham and yeoman like editing by SloaneKlevin compliment the actors and director's vision. My only gripe is itgoes too fast – there could've been more character development (i.e.mostly in the fine assembled ensemble particularly Perez who is at besta glorified cameo). The film as a whole is a small gem that seems afitting valentine to '70s films and as itself a unique look at what itmeans to be someone who tries to do the right thing when the reality ishe already has.