Mr. Rice's Secret

PG

Released Feb 26, 2000

1 hr. 53 min.

Fantasy

List

50%

6 Reviews

Tomatometer

54%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Owen Walters (Bill Switzer) is a terminally ill preteen who must also cope with all the other rigors of early adolescence. But, after the death of his whimsical next-door neighbor, Mr. Rice (David Bowie), Owen discovers something extraordinary: a complex treasure hunt, devised by Mr. Rice, that may lead the young boy to unearth some fantastic secrets. As Owen struggles with nightmares about death, he inches closer to the treasure, which may offer him some measure of salvation.

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Audience Member

Ok fantasy/drama. It wants to be more profound than it really is. And there isn't nearly enough Bowie in it.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Loved this movie! Great watch, David Bowie did a marvelous job!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Loved this movie and the incredible story it told. The acting was very solid. One of the best family movies I've seen in quite a while.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Sweet well meaning film with a good moral. It's a family oriented film, and one that older kids and adults would like.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

it is a good film with a great message live your life and don't regret anything

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It's what you do in life that counts. **************** Mr. Rice's Secret is a wonderful opportuitity to explore the imporantance each of us represents in Life. No matter how long or short your life is; it's what you do while your here that counts. How you treat others and what you believe in. I liked the moral this story left me with. Be true to yourself and each other.Rejoice in every moment you have been given.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

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Nicholas Kendall

Director

David Bowie

Mr. Rice

Bill Switzer

Owen Walters

Garwin Sanford

Stan Walters

Teryl Rothery

Marylyn Walters

Zach Lipovsky

Funnel Head

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Elvis Mitchell

New York Times

Rated: 2/5

Mar 30, 2001

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Oct 1, 2005

Full Review

Judith Egerton

Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY)

The characters are stereotypes. Owen's world includes a loving mother, a stern but well-meaning father, a fat bully and a skinny weakling.

Rated: 2/4

Jul 1, 2004

Full Review

Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

This is a well-constructed film with real substance.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 16, 2002

Full Review

Maria Garcia

Film Journal International

The filmmakers have created a movie which is didactic, yet not condescending, and inspirational without being corny.

Mar 30, 2001

Full Review

James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

The film benefits from several strong performances, especially by the young, largely unknown, cast.

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 30, 2001

Full Review

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Synopsis

Owen Walters (Bill Switzer) is a terminally ill preteen who must also cope with all the other rigors of early adolescence. But, after the death of his whimsical next-door neighbor, Mr. Rice (David Bowie), Owen discovers something extraordinary: a complex treasure hunt, devised by Mr. Rice, that may lead the young boy to unearth some fantastic secrets. As Owen struggles with nightmares about death, he inches closer to the treasure, which may offer him some measure of salvation.

Director: Nicholas Kendall
Executive Producer: David Forrest, Beau Rogers
Screenwriter: J.H. Wyman
Distributor: Panorama Entertainment [us], MTI Home Video [us]
Production Co: New City Productions, Panorama Entertainment
Rating: PG
Genre: Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 26, 2000, Original
Release Date (DVD): Sep 25, 2001
Sound Mix: Dolby