The characters seem so real and their emotions genuine, it builds at a slow pace but it never gets boring and story development is consistent. This is not a ferociously loud summer crowd-pleaser or something bloated with pointless SFX. Very few movies have the power to make a whole story out of characters and situation alone without feeling the need for some ridiculous set piece or blaring thrash metal guitars.

In fact Bruce Broughton's score is the wonderful opposite of that. The performances, especially the two leads, are flawless and the direction is far more refined than the typical. Everything in this movie comes together perfectly to make a film so unique and charming. If you have lost your faith in the current dreck that graces our screens and if you want a family movie with some meaning and subtext then check this out. And keep an eye out for director John Carpenter as on of the Coupe De Villes.

The DVD is in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen and in Dolby 2.0. It has an introduction by Jay Underwood and director Nick (Michael Myers) Castle, they also feature in a commentary with Lucy Deakins and Fred Savage.

The always loveable Lucy Deakins, in particular, seems to be in absentia, last appearing in the Disney film Cheetah in 1989 (a film I want to see but can't, because Disney doesn't sell it anymore, in all likelihood because it's not cost-effective). You may remember that Underwood played a young Sonny Bono in the ABC-TV Movie of the Week Sonny & Cher about a year ago.

Nevertheless, Deakins absolutely shines here as a teenage girl whose cancer-laden father has recently committed suicide so his wife and kids would not see him die so miserably. Her Mom and little brother (played well by Bonnie Bedelia and a young Fred Savage) move to a new neighborhood, where she ultimately meets a boy (Underwood, who pulls off a remarkable performance) who has shut himself off from society after his parents died in a plane crash and is forced to live with his likeable but irresponsible alcoholic uncle (played by Fred Gwynne, his wonderful swan song). I have read a number of reviews and synopses that describe the Underwood character as autistic, but unless I am mistaken, I do not believe the film ever refers to him as such.

The film chronicles Deakins and Underwood's characters' budding friendship, and then romance, when Underwood finally opens up to her in a last-ditch effort to prove his love and humanity. The ending, of course, also involves some aviation.

Fred Gwynne and Colleen Dewhurst, who are unfortunately not with us now, give exceptional performances, and Louise Fletcher (who played the evil nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest) is quite good, playing a psychiatrist who is Deakins character's modern-day guardian angel. The attractive and zesty Mindy Cohn (of Facts of Life fame) is also fun as Deakins' friend.

Also check out Deakins' wardrobe. If you, like me, grew up in the 1980s, you're bound to recall your sister's purple jeans and pink sweaters with snowflakes!

Gentle and Moving.