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Mr. Rice's Secret

Play trailer Poster for Mr. Rice's Secret PG Released Feb 26, 2000 1h 53m Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
50% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 55% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
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.

Critics Reviews

View All (6) Critics Reviews
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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (25) audience reviews
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 Read all reviews
Mr. Rice's Secret

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Cast & Crew

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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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Mr. Rice's Secret

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Movie Info

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
Producer
Colleen Nystedt
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
Runtime
1h 53m
Sound Mix
Dolby