Gideon (film)
Gideon is an American comedy film from the year 1999 . Directed by Claudia Hoover , the screenplay, this sensitive outsider drama and parable about the meaning of life with Christopher Lambert in the lead role, wrote Brad Mirman .
action
The 40-year-old Gideon Oliver Dobbs is mentally retarded and behaves like a child. His aunt takes care of him, but this is no longer possible for her for personal reasons. So she registers him at the Seeblick retirement home .
When Gideon asks to be accepted into the old people's home, they are initially confused. Only after he has clarified the legal basis, which he has "received" from his uncle, does one agree. He quickly makes friends with some of the residents who initially do not understand that such a young man wants to live in a retirement home. Gideon's naive manner and his spontaneous behavior confuse the seniors at first, but loosen up the atmosphere in the home massively. He also has a number of skills that astonish everyone. He is able to memorize and reproduce what has been said verbatim. In contrast, he has no access to logical connections and his own considerations. He gets a vicious watchdog and even a wild deer to let him stroke him and he can foresee a spontaneous change in the weather. He listens to the residents of the home and says in his childishly naive way what the others think of each other. This does not always meet with approval, but it still makes those affected think and awaken their spirits. Leo, who used to be a cook and was constantly nagging about the food, was convinced by Gideon to work himself in the kitchen, which all residents were enthusiastic about. Only Mrs. Willows is outraged because she tries to keep all costs as low as possible and a meal that is too exclusive does not fit into her plan. Despite the substantial contributions that the residents of the home pay for their retirement years, the senior citizens' residence is in financial difficulties. Therefore, savings are not only made on food, but also on many other things. The retired boxer Harland had long since lost his self-confidence and now, thanks to Gideon's encouragement, dared to say something against the tutelage in the home. Even a pushy contemporary, he finally gives his opinion.
Gideon stood up for everyone and didn't tell anyone that he himself was terminally ill, so that they wouldn't have to think about their own imminent end. When Gideon dies surprisingly quickly, all home residents mourn and honor him for his understanding that he had shown them. He touched everyone in different ways and accepted them for who they were, and he gave them new wings.
Reviews
The magazine TV direkt 23/2007 praised that the film campaigns “for the right to be different”.
TV Movie magazine wrote that the film was "likeable despite some weaknesses".
Kino.de wrote: “If there had been video stores 40 years ago, 'Gideon' and his truly illustrious cast would have been candidates for first place. Shirley Jones, Shelley Winters, Charlton Heston and numerous other veterans of the dream factory come together in this sensitive outsider drama and deliver services well above the video premiere average. "
background
The film was shot in Los Angeles . It started in selected cinemas in the USA on October 10, 1999, and was released on video in Germany in October 2000.
Web links
- Gideon in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- Gideon at rotten tomatoes (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ TV direkt 23/2007, page 44
- ↑ TV Movie, accessed on November 11, 2007 ( Memento of the original from November 12, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ^ Film review at Kino.de , accessed on March 14, 2018.
- ^ Filming locations for Gideon, accessed November 11, 2007
- ^ Opening dates for Gideon, accessed November 11, 2007
