Monsieur North

I have never seen anything by Thornton Wilder that I have not loved, including this film. Mr. Theophilus North is new to a small, wealthy town and he has a special healing power. He is a gentle, loving man who befriends a rich recluse (One of Robert Mitchum's most interesting roles since Night of the Hunter), who is being kept in sick mode by his family for their own devious goals: to hurry his death and their inheritance. When his power becomes known, he gains many friends and a few enemies. Theophilus North (Theophilus is from the Greek and means Lover of God) is a little reminiscent of Jesus and the film is an allegory of human nature: the desire, of everyone, to be healed and the desire of the powerful to maintain the status quo. The film is another Huston family project: John assisted with the delightful screenplay; Danny directed; Angelica and Alegra acted. I highly recommend the film to anyone who likes films that are unusual.

I have to admit that I am fascinated by this movie. It has some of the best acting I ever have seen set beside some of the most ill-at-ease.

You can feel the influence of Thornton Wilder in the dialogue as the words trill across the ear. But it seems at times that the writer started out to write a play & ended up with a movie.

There is an enormous charm to this movie. The writing is a bit ... odd... at times, but creates a compelling story.

The acting is incredibly sweet and natural, for the most part (Mitchum is painfully awkward at first, Bacall overacts, and a couple of small parts are acted like a middle school play).

Anthony Edwards as Mr. North is astoundingly superb. Honestly, I am "shocked" at how charming he makes this character.

The writing may have helped the acting, actually, as it seems that cast must push against the occasionally slow screenplay to make their words more believable. It's almost a marvel to behold how good some of the acting is at times.

I wish my kids would sit still long enough to see a sweet movie like this.

If you want to be in a better mood, watch this charming movie.

I watched this movie on cable today, compelled not by the film itself (which sadly isn't up to snuff), but by the story, and especially by the charismatic leading character. The face was vaguely recognizable, as was the warmth and humanity of the actor's performance. Although the film, replete with a sterling cast, fails on many levels, Anthony Edwards' does not. He captures the glow of the title character, and positively shines with compassion. It's an excellent example of a great actor rising above a shoddy script and making a role his own. I give the film 5 stars out of 10 . . . but I give Mr. Edwards a perfect score.

I loved the choice of actors, the acting itself, the art direction, costuming and most everything about this film...BUT the screenplay. I read the book and remember it as a lively, interesting fast-paced read, but the movie stays lugged down, even despite the best efforts of the actors involved. I was pleased to watch it though, I was, but couldn't help but make the same comparison most do when watching a film adaptation of a favorite book...it couldn't help but pale in contrast. Anthony Edwards did his best, and it was charming, that was worth watching. Lauren Bacall, Mary Stuart Masterson, Virginia Madsen, Anjelica Huston...all so lovely to watch. I think even if I had not read the book I would have found the film sluggish, but it was sweet to watch.

This one certainly was a family affair! Directed by Danny Huston. Anjelica Huston has a role as Persis. John Huston was going to play Bosworth, but due to an illness, Mitchum filled in, according to the trivia. Co-stars Lauren Bacall, Harry Stanton. In our story, North (Edwards) will read the bible to Mr. Bosworth, for pay. He explains right off that his body has the unusual ability to spark when he touches someone. And this all takes place in newport, rhode island, where the mucky mucks all have money and boats. So the regular folk have to stick together; North makes friends with Mrs. Cranston and Simmons (Bacall, Stanton). When the townspeople find out he can make his hand spark, they interpret that as being a healer, and charge him with practicing medicine without a license. Very family friendly, as expected. Much ado about nothing! Edwards had just done Top Gun, so he was clearly a proven entity. Story by Thornton Wilder, of Our Town fame, among others. And apparently filmed in several rhode island locations!