Tuck Everlasting (2002)

60% of critics liked it
(116 reviews)
65% of users liked it
(78,441 ratings)

Natalie Babbitt's award winning book for children comes to the screen in a lavish adaptation from Walt Disney Pictures. Winnie Foster (Alexis Bledel) is a girl in her early teens growing up in the small rural town of Winesap in 1914. Winnie's parents (Victor Garber and Amy Irving) are loving but… More Natalie Babbitt's award winning book for children comes to the screen in a lavish adaptation from Walt Disney Pictures. Winnie Foster (Alexis Bledel) is a girl in her early teens growing up in the small rural town of Winesap in 1914. Winnie's parents (Victor Garber and Amy Irving) are loving but overprotective, and Winnie longs for a life of greater freedom and adventure. One day, while exploring the nearby woods, Winnie gets lost, but she has the good fortune to happen upon the Tuck Family, who live nearby - mother Mae (Sissy Spacek), father Angus (William Hurt), and sons Jesse (Jonathan Jackson) and Miles (Scott Bairstow). The Tucks are warm and caring people, and Winnie feels right at home with them; she also finds herself developing a serious crush on Jesse, and isn't so sure she wants to return; meanwhile, her parents become increasingly distraught as they search for their missing daughter. But in time Winnie discovers there's a secret behind the seemingly idyllic lives of the Tuck Family; they have discovered a magical spring on their property, and anyone who drinks from it will never grow old and never die. While to Winnie this sounds like a wonderful prospect, the Tucks have come to understand this is as much of a curse as a blessing, especially when she realizes Jesse is considerably older than she is. The Tucks also have to contend with the presence of the sinister Man In The Yellow Suit (Ben Kingsley), who wishes to buy their property and make a fortune from their "fountain of youth." Tuck Everlasting was directed by Jay Russell, who previously directed the acclaimed family film My Dog Skip. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Jay Russell
Written By: Jeffrey Leiber
Genres: Drama, Kids & Family, Romance, Musical & Performing Arts, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Oct 22, 2002 Wide
On DVD: Nov 15, 2005
Studio: Buena Vista Pictures

Critic Reviews

Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Harks back to a time when movies had more to do with imagination than market research.
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
That rare movie that works on any number of levels -- as a film of magic and whimsy for children, a heartfelt romance for teenagers and a compelling argument about death, both pro and con, for adults.
Jocelyn Noveck, Associated Press
Those with the patience to submit to its low-energy charms may find their time well spent.
Ken Tucker, Entertainment Weekly
Any movie that signals the menace of a potential lynching by zooming its camera through the loop of a gallows noose cannot claim subtlety, but director Jay Russell never lets the swirling emotions of Tuck become too drippy.
Ed Park, Village Voice
Bledel and Jonathan Jackson's gorge-side canoodling drifts dangerously close to Blue Lagoon territory.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
A successful merger of the whimsical and the weird.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Lovely version of the favorite middle-school book.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
The entire production bears a certain medicinal scent; it may be good for you, but it's not exactly tasty.
Josh Bell, Las Vegas Weekly
There is no life in the story, and what could be a thoughtful rumination on mortality offers only pat Disneyfied lessons.
Greg Muskewitz, eFilmCritic.com
Lambent, wholesome youth film, nothing short of magical, wherein a cosseted, cloistered lass escapes from her perennial confines of parental stuffiness .
Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com
Fans of the book or the film will probably want to own this edition, since it's quite good all things considered.
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
A great-looking film with beautiful scenery and some fine actors, but it lacks a good third act.
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
With much to be enchanted by while you're watching and some worthwhile questions to think about afterwards, Tuck Everlasting is rewarding old-fashioned entertainment.
Brian Webster, Apollo Guide
Attractively filmed and pleasantly conceived, it ventures too far into sentimentality, and not far enough into its fascinating life versus immortality subject matter.
Gerry Shamray, Sun Newspapers of Cleveland
Young girls everywhere will be captivated by Tuck Everlasting. This charming film has a wonderful, old-fashioned spirit.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...overly sentimental, slow, and predictable, with an ending so contrived that if you gave it a second's reflection would seem downright nonsensical.

Read all 16 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Brad W

I always love this movie, its such a great tale and wonderful actors. A Disney classic.
Jennifer X

When Alexis is dancing for Jesse it looks like he's masturbating. I'm serious, watch it again.
jay n

Good version of the classic tale, well cast.
Bannan i

'loosely' based on the children's book...I've come to adore. So, it's different...granted. But still really interesting. Philosophical...even.
Wildaly M

Visually stunning and very good message. Loyal to the book.
Jason S

I love the book and the movie is pretty good as well. They did change some things though.
Bradley W

I always love this movie, its such a great tale and wonderful actors. A Disney classic.
Juan C

very entertaining and satisfying. i've read the book, and the movie was alright, made some mistakes, and also can be a heartwarming tale, but it can make people lost on it's story. B-
Jackson W

Completely amazing.
The S

An enjoyable and inoffensive fairytale for the whole family with a good cast and some worthwhile morals for all.
Sunil J

I think the book and the movie is sweet and Alexis Bledel is always adorable.
Sarah B

Gorgeous, philosophical, beautiful, disturbing, well-acted, troubling, well-filmed... could've gone a bit deeper though. This is a glorious exploration of the nature of love, life and death
Lea L

Good movie..
Marion R

If you had have the chance to live forever would you? I didn't understand her choice. The movie was cute.
Leo L

Cute movie!