Watch Gideon For Free

I wanted to but couldn't!

How sad is this?

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Those who thoroughly enjoyed this little gem - they got it. They were able to put the cynical critic within themselves on hold for a while and just sit there and enjoy experiencing it. Extraordinary cast. Delightful tone and mood. Wonderful ensemble acting.And, yes, a plot line you've seen many, many times before (see other reviews or the synopsis for details; I won't rehash them here). Most of those who disliked "Gideon" called the story hackneyed, and I want to absolutely disagree with that description.The dictionary definition of "hackneyed" means something beyond overly familiar. It also means that something is boring, not worth the time you may spend in watching it, and that it doesn't give you anything worthwhile to away with you. In this case, that's just wrong.How many great westerns have been built of the same basic situation? Hell, how many great John Ford westerns cover the exact same ground over and over? How many times did Frank Capra do the same thing. (In fact, they both remade one of their earlier hits, almost line for line.) How many great heist films or chase flicks or love stories or vendetta sagas offer absolutely nothing new by way of plot or structure or style? There's always a way to offer something new to any story, and it's no great sin to try putting your own spin on even the most overcrowded category. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Frequently the end result is beyond awful, an insult to genre.With Gideon," I think it does work. This isn't going to end up on the AFI's top 100 list, but it left me feeling refreshed, happy to have had a chance to take one more quick swim in a favorite old swimming hole.And just a couple more notes. The fact that so many terrific older actors willingly lined up to participate, tells you that they didn't see this film as hackneyed. And their deeply moving performances made it clear that their participation was no quickie play-for-pay gig with them.I also notice that as the years have passed, user reviews have become far more positive, most grading out in the 9 out of 10 range. This film has worn well, a familiar characteristic shared with very good films that didn't originally find their niche.So, when it rolls around again on one of your cable channels, I highly recommend that you give it an open-minded look. It may become one of your little-known personal discoveries, or maybe just become one of your slightly guilty pleasures, but you'll surely find that it does offer something original and satisfying to take with you.

Folks who only know Lambert as the star of "Greystoke" or "The Highlander" ought to be quite surprised by his work here. He plays the title character, a "special" man who is, on the surface, mentally handicapped, but deep down has the sense and the logic that many people fail to acknowledge or draw upon in their daily existences. He is sent to live at a retirement home, even though his age is far below the median of the other residents. The home's director Nichols and his domineering mother Winters find themselves cornered into taking him in. Almost immediately, the residents are affected by Lambert's disarming ways and piercingly thoughtful observations. Under his gentle, almost invisible, guidance, the rather stagnant lives of the inhabitants (and Nichols as well) are enriched and revitalized, allowing the folks to rediscover the attributes and emotions they have allowed to become buried with age. The tenants at the home are portrayed by Hollywood stars who, themselves, have been put out to pasture, but who - as displayed here - still have some life in them yet. The script is chock full of clichés and contrivances, often lending it a predictable feel. However, it's such a joy to see this cast of veterans at work and to see Lambert displaying some real acting talent that most of its sins are forgivable. It does take some getting used to with Lambert taking on such an unusual part, but he winds up being very endearing and winning. Heston plays a well-read, erudite retiree who often feels at sea amidst the other men whose priorities have shifted to more benign chatter like "What's for supper?" O'Connor does a more aged riff on his famous Archie Bunker characterization, but it's entertaining nonetheless. Jones (who appears far too able and alert to be residing in a "home") plays a caring, but lonesome woman. Connors is an ex-prize fighter, longing for his glory days. Bain is a widow in the early stages of dementia. Korman has a humorous bit role as a man always hoping that the telephone is for him. Rounding out the cast are Bernard, as a pretty nurse and Williamson, as the handy man. Only Winters, though she does try her best, seems ill-suited to her role. For one thing, she's older than practically all of the other residents, thus the idea that she's running the place is a bit of a stretch. Also, her own physical limitations are clear at times, underlining the fact that she's miscast. Her part would have been better served by Bain, though Bain does such a nice job in her own role, it would be hard to do without her there. Oddly, her character is never given any sort of resolution or development, which is a shame. In any case, the film is a warm and winning piece of cinema. Those looking for realism will be sorely disappointed. It's best to approach the film as a fable or a fairy tale. Though it does have a few doses of reality, it's primarily fanciful in its script, acting, direction and art direction (check out the resort-like atmosphere of the retirement home which is supposed to be almost belly-up!) Oddly, though none of them seem to be of exactly the same age when reviewing their careers and appearance, Heston, O'Connor and Connors were all born within roughly a year of one another! Rare is the retirement home that houses Jason Colby, Shirley Partridge, Archie Bunker, Joe Mannix, Cinnamon Carter and Ed Higgins! Rarer still today is a movie that can collect such an assortment of actors and give them something to do, which makes this film all the more special.

I was very impressed with this beautiful movie: the best actors, the best script, the best of everything. This movie is simply delightful. I cannot understand why Gideon didn't get released in the theaters, and why is not on sale. Not even amazon.com has this movie. It's mistery to me why a mediocre movie is distributed everywhere while this jewel stays in the dark. In my honest opinion, there should be more movies like Gideon. It's a heart-warming film that touches your heart. It deserves an Oscar and, most of all, it deserves a place in every home because it's a movie for the whole family. It's a true classic. Don't miss it!

Gideon is a pleasant watchable drama about a mentally retarded adult who is sent by his aunt to an asylum. Gideon Dobbs is played superbly by Cristopher Lambert - yes, you heard me well, the guy from Highlander, Mortal Kombat or Beowulf.So you can imagine my surprise seing him in this difficult role. The story is not at all spectacular or original. It's even forced in some moments and the intentions of the director are clear from the beginning. The good point of this normal simple movie are the characters: very well built and very well played. Well maybe except for the crook (well, so-called crook) in the bar. He seems just like an element needed to accentuate Gideon's "abilities". Well it's an enjoyable drama, but too simple to worth more than a 6 out of 10.