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      The Boy in the Plastic Bubble

      1976 1h 40m Drama List
      Reviews 47% 5,000+ Ratings Audience Score The girl (Glynnis O'Connor) next door makes a teen (John Travolta) born with immune deficiencies want to leave his germ-free bubble. Read More Read Less

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      The Boy in the Plastic Bubble

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      Audience Reviews

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      Chris M Where it lacks in actual plot, character or pacing it makes up for in so much forced melodrama. Every character only has one speed, DRAMATIC. They found a way to get him to attend class in a 1970s' version of a Zoom class, the only attempt at doing anything but heavy feeling. To make Todd a full person instead of a plot device of his condition. The one and only defining character trait. Also, another reason movies shouldn't make a movie about these true stories. If they aren't going to follow the facts. The real boy in the Plastic Bubble was name David Vetter and died at 12. If the movie is going to be 99% fake then don't pretend you care about the real story, spare us the "inspired" by real events or true story. Cuz we don't care. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 04/18/23 Full Review ck o Overly sentimental and overly emotional. Such overtones destroy a believable atmosphere and often make it out to be a joke. If you want a drama movie that is done right about a child struggling with a disease and the struggle that not only the child has but the parents have, I suggest watching Lorenzo's Oil. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member It's one I expected to turn off and forget about… but that didn't happen. It's a genuine effort to portray something ‘real' about segregation, difference, and society, with a gentle approach. That it isn't as deep and meaningful as it wants to be, is more about its time than its endeavour. The chemistry between JT & GoC is well crafted Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review jordan m This was a fine premise upon which to set a movie, especially one made for TV where the melodrama is more palatable. Travolta did an excellent job coming off as an endearing and sympathetic character and it seemed the camera intentionally lingered on his face longer than strictly necessary as if the director felt the same way. They did a good job establishing what life would be like in a bubble like that, though I doubt a teen would grow to be Travolta's apparent age without having become rebellious. What nearly ruined the entire experience for me was the ending, where they left what ends up happening completely ambiguous, as it felt like a huge cop-out. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member The movie is emotional and gripping but the ending was terrible. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Audience Member One of if not the greatest made for tv film of all time. John Travolta shinned through in his debut starring role for film and he only got better. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      The Boy in the Plastic Bubble

      The Boy in the Plastic Bubble (1976) The Boy in the Plastic Bubble (1976) The Boy in the Plastic Bubble (1976) The Boy in the Plastic Bubble (1976) The Boy in the Plastic Bubble (1976) View more photos

      Critics Reviews

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      Randy White Common Sense Media Worthwhile tale of adolescence and difference. Rated: 4/5 Jan 2, 2011 Full Review Phil Hall Film Threat Typical disease-of-the-week TV fare, made memorable by a young John Travolta on the cusp of superstardom. Rated: 2.5/5 Dec 7, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis The girl (Glynnis O'Connor) next door makes a teen (John Travolta) born with immune deficiencies want to leave his germ-free bubble.
      Director
      Randal Kleiser
      Production Co
      Spelling-Goldberg Productions
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Mar 2, 2018
      Runtime
      1h 40m
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