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I wanted to but couldn't!

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

Blistering performances.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

Harrison Bergeron is an amazing little 1995 made-for-television film that is underrated and deserves some more respect. I came across it one day and thought it sounded interesting... it was beyond exceptional, especially for a TV movie.Harrison lives in a society where every person is equal... right down to their intelligence, brain functions, ideas and activities. The society, an alternate version of the United States, is styled to look like the 1950's (apparently because everybody appeared happy in the 1950's), although the film takes place in the 21st century. Harrison objects to corrective brain surgery that will reduce his intelligence (basically a lobotomy to shut him up). His doctor recommends he go to an illegal secret club for smart people who have intelligent conversations in secret. He meets Phillipa, a girl talented at playing chess, who, during a police infiltration, has him whisked away with her to a corrupt government of intelligent people who have good intentions but end up creating a bad situation.The acting was amazing, and it was great to see actors Marc Marut, Marilyn Smith and John Friesen from my favorite childhood movie (TV movie Goosebumps Welcome to Dead House) together in a movie again. The story was compelling, similar to Soylent Green (1973) and Parents (1989). The soundtrack was classic nineties TV movie soundtrack. This movie showcases some of the musicians, activists, filmmakers and authors of the 20th century that this fictional society had forgotten or just never been exposed to. It also shows that there can be no equality with the human race but that it's our differences that should make everyone respect and care about each other, equal or not. It's certainly worth watching, I honestly think everybody should view it at least one time.

This has literally been my "favorite movie of all time" ever since a friend rented it for a gathering of geeks. It was made for television, of course, but I believe it was put together far more expertly than most movies I have seen. Aside from a seemingly low budget, some minor inconsistencies, and an occasional poorly-delivered line, the movie is superb. It sets a pace, speaks to a theme, and gives the viewer a story they could believe in.Other reviewers here have observed how "Harrison Bergeron" is a political commentary on the conduct of government (especially American government). Others point out the science fiction aspect of intentionally manufacturing a society. I would just like to voice my awareness of a theme that hasn't been spoken to much here-- the theme that is the reason that this is my favorite movie.The nature of intelligence, while poorly defined and understood by those who measure it so expertly, is a concept I and many others cannot ignore. For the gifted and talented among us, the world looks much like Harrison's world in the beginning of the film. Intelligent people are often isolated from others by intolerance and by their own unwillingness to conform to mediocrity. The movie sums this up well with a line: "It's lonely, being smart." It would be arrogance to believe that people like Harrison are 'better' than the rest, but it would be foolish to say this difference does not matter. Being different in any way is painful for young people, and even more so when the difference allows someone to more fully comprehend the meaning of it.I would never want to be as smart as Harrison Bergeron in a society where excellence was penalized. The American society is not so punitive, but there are certainly costs for being gifted. When federal funding for gifted programs is so quickly siphoned away during budget crises, an intelligent student is not a "child left behind" but is instead a child *kept* behind. What motivation is there to try, to achieve one's potential when more tedious and mind-numbing work is the only reward? Many smart students learn it is better to do just enough to get that "A", or slack off to get even worse, than it is to fight against the inertia of school curricula. At worst, the educational system destroys our brightest minds by teaching them to conform to the standard of the norm.When I saw this film, I remembered again the darkest parts of growing up smart in a place where intelligence is a liability. I was smart enough to be anesthetized by my classes, but not smart enough to see right through it all. The secret government of the best and the brightest looks like a utopia to eyes clouded by compliance. It would be comforting to many students to have a place where they did not need to hide their gifts because other people (and teachers) might get resentful. These places need to be re-created in American culture, because they existed once and served an essential purpose. Until recently, universities and laboratories were places of intellectual enlightenment; now they are institutions designed to swell the ranks of the middle class and to make a profit. The result: it is difficult to find groups who are together solving the greatest problems that beset humanity, as was once done.So, I enjoy Harrison Bergeron for its humor, political insight, and science (non)fiction, but I appreciate it more for its portrayal of the talented and gifted. These are not happy people-- they are burdened people. If you are one of these people, know that you are not alone. Movies like Harrison Bergeron remind us that there are others who experience the angst, the ennui, and the pain of being uncommonly gifted. Find solace in the world of the geek, or in Mensa, or even just with your special group of friends. Harrison Bergeron is a warning, not a role-model.

I just saw this last night on the local late night movie. I'm not much of a Sean Astin fan, but in this film, he fits. The basic plot (spoilers ahead) - it's the not too distant future. The United States has had a second revolutionary war due to a major recession and huge unemployment (starting to sound familiar?!). The powers-that-be determine that everyone will be happier if they are all of the same intelligence, own the same things, live the same lives, etc. So, they develop a kind of headset that monitors and controls everyones' brain waves - keeping everyone kind of dumb and happy, although they don't really know why. Astin plays the title character, who turns out to be smarter than everyone else, and no amount of tinkering with his headset will tamp down his intelligence. Through various plot developments, he hooks up with a kind of shadow government, composed of other smart people that determine what the people see, who governs them, etc. At first, Astin seems to enjoy being a part of this group. He develops a relationship with a woman, works in the television programming department, and begins to fit in. Soon, though, he understands the consequences of allowing the so-called "smart people" to govern the "average" (think political correctness, fascism, and other "isms" of today!). A couple of plot twists at the end that give you something to think about; and suddenly what seems like it might be a boring made-for-cable movie turns into a relevant film for the political events of today's America. After seeing this movie, you might actually believe Eugene Levy could play George Bush in a biography! 7.5 out of 10 stars.

Quirky, off the wall, and brain-warping. Exactly what you'd expect of a short story by Vonnegut. From the opening credits, which scroll across the screen in all directions with "Lollipop" playing in the background, to the opening scene, in which the time is set as the mid 21st century, but the look is 1950's, this HBO made for TV movie promises to be strange, and it delivers. And it Works. The second American Revolution has occurred. The new government is based on the principal that Not all people are created equal, and it is the government's job to interfere to make them so. To this end, everyone wears headbands that fire random shocks into people's brains to keep them from being too smart. Dancers have lead weights tied to one leg. Football quarterbacks have flashing lights mounted in their helmets to keep them from seeing too well... The goal in life is not to excel, but to be perfectly average. But what happens when one boy's brain is too good for the band? No matter how high they crank the voltage, his brain finds a way to work around it. No matter how hard he tries, Harrison Bergeron keeps getting straight A's in school. A Dark Fairytale packed with wit and satire, you may have to hunt for this one, but it is worth the effort. A good allegory on some of our current social problems. And tame enough younger children if you don't mind them hearing profanity. Not exactly the happy ending, but there is promise of a better future.For those of you who are Forever Knight fans, Nigel (Laquois) Bennet has a great role as the doctor...