The Professor and the Madman

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Amanda L Watch if you love language and prefer redemptive arcs over dead-end indictments. Sean Penn, Mel Gibson, and Natalie Dormer all knocked it out of the park, but I daresay that Mel brought the poignancy to the forefront. There’s a sincerity to this film that makes me want more of the same. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/08/24 Full Review Tim T The book is good, the movie is not… A pretentious, self flatuating stinker of a movie. Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 06/09/24 Full Review David B I've read the book and found the movie excellent. I'm usually quite fussy with films. This was really well done ! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/15/24 Full Review Ace R what planet do the critics live in up there with shawshank redemption for the simple reason this was a true story penns acting was off the scale reccomend this film to anyone forget ratings Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/30/24 Full Review Jeff M While not the trainwreck I expected, considering Gibson tried to block the release of this film and it was disavowed by its director, this is a textbook example illustrating the fact that fascinating lives don't necessarily make fascinating movies. This is an amazing story - no one would believe it if it weren't true - but watching the compilation of a dictionary for over two hours is not inherently interesting to watch. The result unfortunately reminds me of one of those horrible faith-based movies that have the most wonderful of intentions but the most unfortunate of executions. Gibson is one-note and sullen throughout - and incorporates about 47 different accents. Facial hair does not a performance make. Penn, a phenomenally talented actor, doesn't fare much better, and while the role requires a range of physical and emotional highs and lows, it still comes across as somewhat lazy. The role of Gibson's wife, which becomes rather pivotal as the story unfolds, is embarrassingly bad and woefully underwritten. Natalie Dormer, an actress about whom I know nothing, easily walks away with the picture and has the only moments of true emotion throughout. Someone once said trying to capture the excitement and art of writing is almost impossible cinematically, and I'm afraid the filmmakers have proven this point. It kept me somewhat interested throughout - so it's not a total travesty. And there are a couple very nice moments scattered throughout. But otherwise, this comes across as bland and forgettable. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/11/24 Full Review Norm Excellent movie. No other words just Excellent. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/04/24 Full Review Read all reviews

The Professor and the Madman

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