Customer Reviews

Misunderstood [VHS]

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'd give this one more than 5 stars, if they'd let me. Truly, one of my all time favourite movies. Gene Hackman, who in my opinion is always superb, is somehow even better than ever. Rip Torn does a wonderful job in a supporting role. The two boys (sons), played by the incredibly talented and cute Henry Thomas and the unbelievably adorable Huckleberry Fox, are captivating beyond description. I'm hoping a DVD release of this excellent feature is soon, as I am currently holding my breath waiting for it.

I saw this very underrated movie starring Gene Hackman and Henry Thomas and it is a sad tearjerker! The movie's title is Misunderstood and I would say that the movie is misunderstood, it's misunderstood by Critics who say this is too depressing, but with it's subject matter how can it not be a little depressing? It's about a family emotionally torn apart after the mother dies and the father a wealthy workaholic businessman played by Gene Hackman is so grief stricken by his wife's death that he ignores his two young sons not realizing that they are in as much pain as he is becoming a very dysfunctional family, he is especially hard on the oldest son played by Henry Thomas who is very misunderstood by his father which leads to a tragedy for him. Even though the movie is a little depressing it's still a good movie and not every movie has to be a light weight piece of fluff were everyone is happy all the time! Critics probably find it too depressing because it's realistic and lets face it no one is happy all the time. Watch this only If you can tolerate a sad movie but if you find sad movies too depressing than avoid! I really would like to see this underated, underappreciated movie put on on DVD.

This is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE MOVIES! It's in the top five on my favorite movie list and it's been at the top of that list since they day I saw it. Fabulous acting by all the cast members. This movie is not about being a Gene Hackman fan or Henry Thomas fan, although I am a fan of both. It's about human emotion and family relationships, namely father and son. It's a story that really draws you in so that you relate to the characters. I cry every time I see this film so you might want to have some tissues on hand. If you like a good drama, then you'll definitely like this movie. ENJOY THE SHOW! Eagerly awaiting the DVD version!

A poignant story dealing with the loss of a loved one. A boy, his brother and father struggle to survive after the boy's mother dies. Each suffer in their own way and sometimes underestimate the pain the other feels. The love that they feel for each other pulls them through a heart wrenching and sometimes perilous bereavement.

You'll never find a more moving film than this. It is Gene Hackman at his best. At times you hate him and at others you cry for him. One of my all time favorites. Wish it were out on DVD.

This film was very heart-wrenching and very well acted. You could really feel empathy with both the father and the sons. The only movie that my husband and I both just burst out crying at the same time.

(This review contains some spoilers.)

Filmed in Tunisia in the early 80s, Misunderstood is the story of a father and his two sons who are trying to cope with the sudden, recent death of their wife and mother. Gene Hackman plays the father, a wealthy businessman, who is so wrapped up in his own grief that he doesn't realize that his oldest son, played by Henry Thomas (of ET), is also hurting. Huckleberry Fox (Terms of Endearment) plays the babyish, loving and aggravating younger brother.

The movie opens with the mother's funeral. The boys are conspicuously absent because they haven't been told that their mother is dead. When she first became ill, the father sent them away to stay with friends, so they didn't even know she was sick. After the funeral, the father informs the oldest boy, 12-year-old Alexander, about the situation, but cautions him against telling his younger brother because he feels the boy is too young and fragile to handle the news.

Alexander then has to deal with his grief on his own, angry at his father for keeping him in the dark and unable to draw upon his brother for comfort. His situation is made worse by his having to field questions from his baby brother about "when is mom coming back?" Bewildered and confused, Andrew finds himself grieving at the funeral of a stranger. It gives him a chance for closure that he missed by not being able to attend his mother's funeral. The stranger's son invites Alexander to attend the reception, where the boy learns that the dead go to a wonderful place where there are ginger waters and platters of dates. It's a comforting vision that he later shares, when his brother finally learns that their mother is never coming back.

The story is centered around the relationship of the father and eldest son. The father tries to do what is best for his kids, but it's painfully apparent that his wife was the primary caregiver who held the family together. She read them to sleep, cut up their food and attended school events. The father does what he can, trying to balance work and family, but his actions often come out wrong, such as when he hires a horrible governess or comes late to a judo tournament.

Andrew understands that his father is grieving and he tries to be supportive and take on more responsibilities, but although his father thinks of him as a grownup, his father still treats him like a child, so Andrew is caught between two roles, getting the short end of each. Ever eager to please, Andrew keeps trying to win his father's approval, but his actions get misunderstood, causing his father to be disappointed and angry. As events unfold, so does Andrew's sense of alienation and frustration.

Just as the father views Andrew as an adult, he views the younger son as a baby. As a result, the younger son gets bedtime stories and hugs and the older son gets handshakes.

As the boys' uncle observed, "You treat Alexander like a cold you don't want to catch."

The cast is good and solid. Gene Hackman is superb as usual, giving a strong, understated performance. Rip Torn, who plays his business partner and brother-in-law, gives an equally strong performance as the perceptive and caring uncle. Both men are believable as former blackmarketeers who became legitimate businessmen. Huckleberry Fox, with his big eyes and moppet looks, is the typical little brother: sometimes a lovable charmer and sometimes a bratty stinker.

Much of the story focuses on Thomas, who gives a simple, moving performance as a sad and lonely, little boy, hungry for his father's trust and love. With a child's perspective, he struggles to make sense of the way his world has changed and to try to figure out a way to make things like they were. The script relies heavily on Thomas' expressions and actions to convey what is going on. The hungry, wistful look on Alexander's face as he watches his father hug his younger brother is far more eloquent than if he said "I wish you loved me too." The only unrealistic thing is that he is far more loving to his often annoying younger brother than his brother deserves.

The movie also brings up the type of questions that might run through a child's mind. What happened to mom? Where did she go? Why can't I see her? What is death? If dad gets remarried will that makes things like they were before?

The story is quietly told. It features some beautiful scenic shots of the white clay Arabian buildings and the surrounding desert. There are no explosions or action scenes, though there are a few tense heart-stopping moments. There is a climax where the son finally has his say and the father faces a terrible price for his mistakes, but I won't give away more than that. If you can watch that scene with dry eyes, you are far tougher than I am.

(I'd really prefer to give the movie 4-1/2 stars, but that wasn't an option. )

This movie seems to be banned eveywhere. Banned from being sold in stores, shown on television and so forth and I can't understand why. It's very sad, no doubt but still deserves to be shown equally like any other film.
Anyway, to get to the point, in spite of the fact Gene Hackman and Henry Thomas's characters are the essence of the story, I believe Henry Thomas and Huckleberry Fox hold this film together. The love between them; especially the hugging, always touches my heart. Their relationship is the kind of relationship all siblings across the world should have. As for the rest of the film, I get pissed off at Gene Hackman's character. Not allowing his sons to be with their mother when she's ill, not allowing them to go to their own mother's funeral, telling Andrew not to tell Miles his mother is gone, treating Andrew like someone who doesn't need nurturing when Andrew obviously does need it,
taking the word of that selfish, inconsiderate, lying, unfair old hag Mrs. Paley against the word of his own children,
. . . the man obviously has his head screwed on wrong. I believe he's totally dispicable!!
Thank God for those two beautiful boys. Without them, there wouldn't be any film. Henry and Huckleberry, Andrew and Miles are two of a kind. I wish they'd done more films together.

i watched this movie when i was 15 and fell in love with huckleberry fox. i thought he was the cutest but most spoiled little brother. then i realized he was "a little brother!" the movie was awesome although tragic. make sure you get the right version, because the other version just doesn't seem right. this is one of my favorite movies!!!!!!

This movie is the pinnacle of sad movies. I loved it. Although extremely depressing, this movies helps you appreciate what is important in life. I'm very dissapointed this moview wasn't rated higher with the critics. This was definitely Gene Hackman's most touching performance. On another note; if you like "Misunderstood", you will also like the movie "Paradise" starring Don Johnson & Melanie Griffith. It's a tear-jerker that will rip your heart to pieces.