In 1984, Todd Bowden is a sixteen year old A student in high school with an morbid fascination in the Holocaust. He stumbles across a former Nazi living in his neighborhood. Kurt Dussander has been using the identity, Arthur Denker, and claims to have been an American citizen since 1955. Bowden threatens to report him to authorities if he doesn’t tell and describe the atrocities witnessed and perpetrated by Denker during the Holocaust.
Denker starts reverting to his old self and killing animals. Bowden’s grades start dropping due to his time with Denker. Bowden also has desires to kill. After nearly a year Bowden and Denker feed off each other’s sick natures. If Bowden turns in Denker in, Denker threatens to bring Bowden down with him so they both have a hold over each other.
The story is very basic but it’s almost all character-driven. The easy to follow story gives us the chance to concentrate almost solely on the characters and their development.
It’s set in middle-class suburbia so the violence, of the Holocaust and the present, clashes significantly with the location.
This is the heart of the film; the characters and the acting skills of the two main characters.
Ian McKellen plays Kurt Dussander, the former Nazi. Ian McKellen is one of the great actors of this modern age. He’s very versatile and professional. Like all of his roles, he plays Dussander to perfection! Every word, movement, and nuance is perfect.
Brad Renfro plays Todd Bowden, the morbidly curious, genius-level sixteen year old who begins their parasitic relationship. Brad Renfro was sixteen, as was his character, and he did a great job. He was very believable in his role. He portrays the confident and arrogant part well, a perfect co-star opposite veteran star, Ian McKellen.
Bruce Davison plays Richard Bowden, Todd’s unsuspecting father.
David Schwimmer, “Friends” star, plays Edward French, Todd’s unsuspecting (at first) guidance counselor. I just thought he looked out of place with a huge moustache.
Standard. Some Holocaust flashbacks were shot in a creepy, washed-out way.
Few effects but a few morbid scenes use some effects. Again, the emphasis is on the two main characters. Standard sound and music which suited the film.
Great movie! Very close to the story by King but it didn’t show as much murders. Plus Todd wasn’t shown killing much at all. Other than that, it has top-notch acting, good story, paced well. Not a bad King translation. A must see for King and horror fans!
