bkoganbing
Danny Huston, son of legendary director John Huston, directs this adaption of the whimsical Thornton Wilder novel with young Anthony Edwards in the title role. John Huston was to have had a prominent role in this production, but his own mortality caught up with him.As it was Huston missed a pretty good picture to be in even if was directed by his son. Robert Mitchum took his place as the recluse millionaire kept as such and infirm by his greedy relatives led by daughter Tammy Grimes.Edwards is the ingenuous young Theophilus North who is a Yale graduate and spending the summer in Newport looking for odd work here and there maybe for a permanent spot with one of the millionaire folks who summer there. He's a scholar without any particular career ambitions, but he has one natural talent although most would consider it a curse. He charges static electricity more than most and gives out some nasty shocks when he touches people. Through an interesting combination of circumstances, Edwards gets the undeserved and unwanted reputation of a healer. That's the basis of the plot and a lot of the action that follows.Mitchum does quite well in a role you would not normally consider him for. However I can see how John Huston would have owned this part had he lived to finish it.Lauren Bacall is also in the film, playing another Newport society swell. It's too bad that she and Mitchum did not have any good scenes together.Mr. North is an interesting and feel good kind of film. Nice family entertainment as well with an interesting moral about folks who have a vested interest in the status quo.
ccthemovieman-1
This was a New Age-type tale which turned me off quickly, thanks to some Bible-bashing right in the beginning of the film by Anthony Edwards and Robert Mitchum, both downgrading the value of reading "The Book."From there, the lead character demonstrates his amazing ability to heal people because electricity runs through his body and can be transmitted to those people he touches. Hollywood takes that stuff seriously but makes fun of the Bible? Give me a break. Sad to see a good cast (this also includes Lauren Bacall, Harry Dean Stanton, Anjelica Huston, Mary Stuart Masterson, Virginia Madsen and David Warner) wasted on tripe like this.
florriebbc
Hello again, This story of Mr. North is so well told. I had never seen Edward Andrews in a movie. He reminds me of Richard Gere. Any movie that Robert Mitchum or Lauren Bacall star in, I automatically "like"..I had never seen this movie or heard of it until today, 110802. I wish it had been advertised more. There could have been a sequel. Thank you for listening, Florence Forrester-Stockton Reno, Nevada
Bruce
I watched this movie on cable today, compelled not by the film itself (which sadly isn't up to snuff), but by the story, and especially by the charismatic leading character. The face was vaguely recognizable, as was the warmth and humanity of the actor's performance. Although the film, replete with a sterling cast, fails on many levels, Anthony Edwards' does not. He captures the glow of the title character, and positively shines with compassion. It's an excellent example of a great actor rising above a shoddy script and making a role his own. I give the film 5 stars out of 10 . . . but I give Mr. Edwards a perfect score.
AD
