Aaron Eckhart, Ian McKellen, William Hurt

A well-educated psychiatrist (Eckhart) leaves an academic career to work at an institution where his father (Nolte), a novelist, lived before writing a renowned children's book. Acclimating to his pos...( read more  read more... )ition, he encounters a schizophrenic (McKellen) who helps him to discover the book's secrets and his place in the story.

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68% liked it

933 ratings

Critics

17% liked it

6 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 48 min.

Directed by: Joshua Michael Stern

Release Date: September 9, 2005

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DVD Release Date: July 3, 2007

Stats: 386 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (386)


  • September 26, 2008
    Fun movie. I liked Ian Mckellen's hobo-castle.
  • September 24, 2008
    I hate when a drama is structured like a thriller mystery, especially when it is so "oh, DOH! you didn't need to reiterate that AGAIN" as this film is. If it cut the crap and recognized that most of the audience is aware of the many upcoming "plot twists" far before they happen, ...( read more)this could be a truly outstanding drama. Instead, it treats the viewers like children, like this movie was marketed to unintelligent eight year olds.

    Dissing done, this is full of power actors giving great performances, with the spotlight on Sir McKellen. Jessica Lange and Nick Nolte are particularly stunning in their supportive roles. I'm still not sure of Brittany Murphy's abilities, and Eckhart seems like he's on auto-pilot most of the film.

    The art and production design is absolutely stunning, especially during the last reel. The clinic setting in particular looks and feels like a real clinic, which is tough for films set in psychiatric wards.

    I wish I could rate this movie higher, but it comes down to script structure and dialogue here. As I've explained, the movie is far too obvious and repetitive, though the central story is quite compelling and offers an *interesting* suggestion to writers searching for rich material.
  • September 14, 2008
    This movie was excellent. The entire cast was great, even Brittany Murphy, who I normally can't stand. Very touching, and I very much enjoyed it.
  • May 29, 2008
    I went into this expecting something a little more whimsical. The description made it sound like a fantasy movie. It was a smidge more depressing. Mostly what I took away from the experience is that Ian McKellen was crazy, Nick Nolte loved to yell, and Aaron Eckhart is one heck...( read more) of a crier. Not horrible, but not very captivating either.
  • October 10, 2007
    Amazing that so many big names were in this, considerin its really not a saleable movie, what with its difficult theme and strange direction. The acting was top notch and so was Philip Glass' piano score but in the end the delivery of the scenes were only great conceptually, and ...( read more)perhaps separately.
  • October 22, 2009
    Will give this a look based solely on the cast. Don't let me down guys and gals!
  • October 19, 2009
    It takes quite a while to get into it, but i really quite liked it in the end. Well done in that i was never quite sure whether Gabriel was utterly mad or if Neverwas really did exist. Its quite a strange film, its utterly depressing at times, confusing too, but it draws you in a...( read more)nd makes you want to know what's really happening. Eckhart overplayed his 'i'm really happy' face, but the rest of the performances are quite good. Without giving it away, i really want that castle!
  • October 14, 2009
    Different than what I thought it would be. I kept waiting for him to change into a cartoon character or something. Ended up being really good.
  • October 14, 2009
    Overall, I just didn't get into the movie.
  • July 24, 2009
    Hmmm...have to see it again to make sense...Maybe I will sometime...

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  • What movie is the following quote from? "One man's insanity is another man's children's book."  Answer »

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