37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Break out the tissue box for this emotional, realistic tale., February 27, 2001
I may shed a tear every now and then during a dramatic movie scene, but this film really kept the tears flowing... I'm torn between recommending this movie and protecting people from seeing it because it's so sad.
I've read many critics rip up this movie, also claiming Kevin Bacon's performance as being inconsistent, or perfunctory. All I have to say to that is they were watching KEVIN BACON PLAY A DISABLED PERSON, and did not accept the character for who he was and let the story roll. I'm sure if DiCaprio played Arnie in Gilbert Grape today after his established fame people would be more critical and see him as the known actor.
This slice-of-life picture may seem slow at times, but it adds to the realism of a non-Hollywood blockbuster that tries to cram everything down your throat. It has a simple calmness to it, a child-like aura. And speaking of children, Evan Rachel Wood's performance is solid, believable and promises an incredible acting career for her future. She was a great casting call; not an over-dramatized, rag-dressed victim, but a believable 10-year-old in a small American town.
This movie captures the innocent friendship that can exist between an adult and a child, much like Mel Gibson's "Man without a face," as his character was accused and judged for spending time with his student. "Digging to China" will always remain a small film with dust on the sleeve at the video rental store, but I think it surpasses many Hollywood blockbusters that explode special effects and violence for the viewing public that just screams for more. Some may compare Bacon's character (Ricky) to Hoffman's in "Rain Man," but my heart goes out to Ricky in "Digging to China," for he was conscious of his problem, and was hoping for a miracle.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Do you remember?, December 2, 1999
By A Customer
Do you remember when as a child you wanted to go far away, anyway you could? Do you remember befriending the outcast, the downtrodden, the not so cool, and not worrying about what other people thought? Evan Rachel Wood (Harriet) gives a sensitive preformance of just such a child. She befriends a mentally handicapped man (Kevin Bacon) who is being taken to a "home" by his dying mother, and they both try to escape the bad situations into which they were born. Bacon gives a truly outstanding performance of "Ricky" who is fearful of his future, knowing he will never mature, and who finds some temporary solace in this 10 year old friend during the only time at which their friendship is possible. Harriet will grow up and escape, Ricky won't. Definitely a must see.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
not your conventional tearjerker, September 25, 2003
By A Customer
I was happily surprised at what a quirky, insightful and often humourous story this was (along with a teary ending). Evan Rachel Wood is superb superb in naturally bringing to life her unusually sensitive and perceptive character -- at the pace she's on she's destined for several academy awards. Bacon fortunately doesn't overdo it -- more like dicaprio in gilbert grape than the irritating hoffman in rainman. The script is packed with little dialogue gems that you'd never find in a Disney movie, and though Hutton's first-time directing shows its inexperience, it actually fits in with the simple atmosphere of the movie. Don't expect too much and be pleasantly surprised like me.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192250339_.gif){kind=small}
