After completing my rather arduous task of finishing this film, I jumped on IMDB and found so many favorable reviews. Shocked and then appalled. I like a good old-fashioned movie as much as the next person - but this, at least for me - was not it! The movie has a rather interesting premise of Death(called Mr. Brink) being retained in a tree under the whims of wheelchair bound Lionel Barrymore. It seems that Barrymore makes a wish - to whom we are never told - that anyone in his apple tree can only get down from his say-so. How did he get this power? Never any explanation but rather a simple leap - ok, a GIANT leap of faith asked of the viewer. Even though I found the story laced with some pretty tired plot conventions, what really gets my gall is the acting of the cast. Everyone is lacklustre. Barrymore tries his best to come off as grandfatherly and loving, but he never really seems sincere. He is much closer than everyone else. Sir Cedric Hardwicke gives another dull and tired performance. He utters his lines with little conviction. But the real bad acting prize goes to Bobs Watson, who is as cute as a puss-fulled wart on the backside of a hippo. Watson is just irritating throughout the film, chugging like a puffy engine, crying on cue, crying again, and uttering lines with the aplomb of a streetcar. I found myself not caring at all what happened to him, and eventually was begging the director to let him touch the tree. I can guess why so much favor has been lauded on On Borrowed Time. It has a nice message: that death is in itself just a journey to a place where everlasting happiness and reunion with loved ones take place. Not a bad thought nor theme. But that doesn't mean that a little professionalism, care, and conviction should be used in the project. I guess it seems that I am being overly harsh on a film with such a resplendent message, but when I sit watching the minutes pass by with great eagerness - then the film, at least for me- has failed somewhere. It certainly is not the worst sugar-coated film offering I have ever seen, but so much could have been done so much better. I think had another child actor been used - that would have made half of it better for me at the start. What did I like about the film? Henry Travers gives a nice turn and Eily Malyon, even though her character has as much depth as a piece of salami, gives a credible-like performance as a wealth-seeking relative on the prowl. There is even a section of the film when Travers learns of Barrymore's secret that works very well. I must confess that I laughed my sides silly several times at scenes that were supposed to be poignant and touching. The end...whew! And how about when Mr. Brink shakes the leaves of the tree in anger. Boy, what a memorable scene that was! The tree wasn't the only thing shaking - so was my head amazed that someone did this!