The Mighty (1998)
-
75% of critics liked it
(40 reviews) -
76% of users liked it
(8,101 ratings)
In the tradition of My Left Foot (1989), Peter Chelsom directed this emotional drama of outcasts, adapted from the Rodman Philbrick's popular young-adult novel Freak the Mighty. Although burly, slow-paced eight-grader Maxwell Kane (Elden Hensen), who narrates, is learning disabled, he… More In the tradition of My Left Foot (1989), Peter Chelsom directed this emotional drama of outcasts, adapted from the Rodman Philbrick's popular young-adult novel Freak the Mighty. Although burly, slow-paced eight-grader Maxwell Kane (Elden Hensen), who narrates, is learning disabled, he nevertheless has a poetic soul, as evidenced when he meets the bright and brainy Kevin Dillon (Kieran Culkin), crippled by a birth defect. The physically deformed Kevin, who wears leg braces and uses crutches, suffers from Morquio's Syndrome, which causes physical growth to stop after the age of six. Illiterate Max gets Kevin as a reading tutor, and the two misfits soon become friends, sharing a vision of life as a contemporary Camelot. Gena Rowlands and Harry Dean Stanton appear as Max's grandparents and guardians. Max is portrayed by 19-year-old Emerson College filmmaking student Henson, while Sharon Stone has the role of Gwen Dillon, Kevin's mother. Boston-born author Philbrick, who winters in Key West, otherwise resides in Seacoast, New Hampshire (the setting of the book). The movie was filmed at a soundstage in Toronto, the University of Toronto, Cincinnati, and Covington, Kentucky. Exhibited out of competition at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi
- Directed By
- Peter Chelsom
- Written By
- Charles Leavitt
- Genres
- Drama
- In Theaters
- Oct 9, 1998 Wide
- Studio
- Miramax
Critic Reviews
-
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Good movie about friendship for middle schoolers.
-
Clint Morris, Moviehole
Touching and ultimately rewarding..Culkin shines
-
John R. McEwen, Film Quips Online
...A cheesy, overdramatic tear-jerker full of transparent sentimentality and forced emotion.
-
Dan Lybarger, Nitrate Online
Decently acted but only moderately inspiring.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
Cast
-
Sharon Stone
as Gwen Dillon
-
Elden Henson
as Maxwell Kane
-
Kieran Culkin
as Kevin Dillon
-
Gena Rowlands
as Gram
-
Harry Dean Stanton
as Grim
-
Gillian Anderson
as Loretta Lee
-
James Gandolfini
as Kenny Kane
-
Joe Perrino
as Blade
-
Meat Loaf
as Iggy
-
Jenifer Lewis
as Mrs. Addison