ASAP!!!!!

Apt Pupil. Indeed especially in the art of manipulation of people and blackmail for his own sadistic quest for knowledge and his own way.

Firstly let me say that my review of this film is going to be quite harsh considering that I loved the book by Stephen King (writing as Richard Bachman). I mean the film itself isn't that bad, in fact its quite good, thrilling atmospheric, gritting and dark content with a great story with very relevant twists and turns. But in my opinion it isn't a stitch on the book, and as with alot of King's books that get transfered onto the big screen the point, drive and almost Aura of the film fails to get developed.

Ok so the story is after a school project on the holocaust, golden boy Todd Bowden (Brad Renfro) recognizes a local man as a Nazi war criminal, but rather than do the normal thing and call the authorities he doesn't. Instead slightly creepy Todd decided he is going to blackmail Kurt Dussander. What ensues is the dangerous relationship, power plays between the two and Todd's slippery slide into the delusional horrors of Dussander's Stories of Genocide.

When trying to grasp the gravity and decrepit nature of the relationship is where the most let downs occur, it doesn't delve deep enough into the Surreal sub reality that Todd conjures from the subject of concentration camp conditions, the horrific experimentation and sexual, mental and physical barbaric abuse from the Nazi Officers within death camps. The whole concern of the Book is to show how his disturbing fascination leads to his "golden" nature being tarnished and him becoming a shadow of his youthful exuberant self.

Alot of the direction in the film is on the shifts of powers between first Todd as the aggressor and Kurt as the submissive, Then to the twist in power and the sinister deviance of Kurt as he breaks down and wears on the "goodness" perceived from Todd's family/ friends.

Also the nastiness and spite the Todd exhibits at the end toward Mr French (David Schwimmer) shows the effect of how his morbid quest for info, which is of a risque, grotesque or graphic variety, truelly has had.

The acting from Sir Ian McKellen is superb. He is almost haunting because he plays Kurt Dussander with such conviction. He appears to just be a frail old man but still get to see that underlaying deviance and strength of the monster he once was and as shown clearly still is.

Sadly the other lead male is a poor excuse in that role. Brad Renfro plays the twisted Todd Bowden, very badly. its not that he can't act, rather that he can't act in the way the role called for. The character was Supposed to be cold, calculating, manipulative, Supremely spiteful and self centered with total regard for others feeling when it concerns his own personal development. Renfro lacked all the above for the majority, the expection being the last scene with Schwimmer where you do get that stark scary glimpse of the fiercesome psycho.

And finally a quick note on Schwimmer's Character of the School Guidance Councilor Mr French. Good acting mostly a little wooden but not a huge part so doesn't spoil anything. However That Porn Star Mustache does prevent him having ANY Credibility when he's in a scene. It really is ridiculous.

Not bad But not Fantastic, Better Off reading the book.

r..t...f...s

OMG O_O

review to follow soon