That’s What I Am

[Preston1990]

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Directed by Michael Pavone
Starring: Ed Harris, Amy Madigan and Molly Parker.

Plot: A coming-of-age story that follows 12-year-old Andy Nichol (Chase Ellison), a bright student who, like most kids his age, will do anything to avoid conflict for fear of suffering overwhelming ridicule and punishment from his junior high school peers. Everyone's favorite teacher, Mr. Simon (Ed Harris), pairs Andy with the school's biggest outcast and social pariah, Stanley, aka "Big G" (Alexander Walters) on a critical term project. Sporting thick orange hair, a head too big for his body and ears too big for his head, "Big G" has been the object of ridicule since grade school. Before long, Andy will learn that there was truly a method behind Mr. Simon's madness as to why he teamed these two up. As the story unfolds, Mr. Simon finds himself the target of a malicious rumor after Principal Kelner (Amy Madigan) suspends a school bully for brutally beating up a female classmate who he thinks has "cooties." When Andy watches "Big G" fearlessly confront the school bully, a series of events are triggered, which change the lives of both young men - and their teacher - forever. Much to Andy's surprise "Big G" is brilliant, kind, tolerant and a decent human being, who has more dignity than anyone Andy has ever encountered.

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[Beate]

Who's going to see this on Sunday?

[prettyxcool]

Me!

[Kaybeelon]

Me, too!

[Beate]

Loved, loved, LOVED it. Very authentic coming-of-age story. Well it should be seeing as it's a true story by Andy Nichol, who's a writer - that's what he is. Ed Harris was very good as the beloved teacher, and there was some nice acting from the youngsters. Absolutely horrible prejudiced attitude towards gays back then, geez!

Shocking attendance figures though. The hardcore FMUKers were there at 10am but it didn't start until 11am even though the email had said 10.30am. If they meant 10.30 for 11am they should have said so! Not many more people did arrive so at the end there were about, what - 20 to 25 people? I know the weather is lovely today, but this one was worth getting up for.

Apart from one couple, I think that everyone stayed for the end credits, which told you what became of all the people in the film in a very funny way. I bet Karen Connor is a stunner these days! And you could still feel the bitterness after all these years about having traded three baseball cards that would be worth £100,000 today for a £10 bracelet to woo Marie Clear.

8.5/10

[prettyxcool]

I echo everything that Beate has said. What a great film! Loved the story, so well told, and so well acted, even by those with a small part to play. It is a shame so few people at the screening. Nice to sit and catch up with fellow FMUKers and meet new ones too. 8/10

[Kaybeelon]

Absolutely agree with everything Beate and PXC wrote. No hype, no big SFX (except for Big G's/Stanley's ears), no 3D, "just" a very good film!

It was nice to have a chat with funthing whom I had only ever seen from a distance before. And PXC thank you very much for the ES Wedding Special!

After the film I wanted to have a chat with the guy who had been at the door (who had said 96 people had confirmed they would come) but was told he had left before the film finished ... shame, would have liked to suggest a few things.

[valda]

I did email them to say I could't go but got the out of office reply. I wish I had gone. I think I would have made an effort to get there despite feeling yuk, as opposed to WFE which on reflection would have made me worse

[funthing29]

What a charming little film. It was a touching story of how the cruelty of children and the ignorance of adults can set events in motion that forever impact peoples' lives. I was surprised at the quality of acting from the youngsters, especially the boy playing Andy. Ed Harris was brilliant (as one would expect) playing Mr Simon with a quiet dignity that really tears at the heartstrings when people start to turn against him.

Surprisingly this has no UK release date so I'm not sure how many people will get to see this delightful understated film. Despite taking place a few decades ago, this film still has an important message and has relevance for today's audience. A well told, thoughtful story. 8/10.

Disappointingly low turnout though. There were less than 20 people in a 100 seater screen. Nice to catch up with Beate, pxc and to meet Kaybeelon.

[Beate]

Despite taking place a few decades ago, this film still has an important message and has relevance for today's audience.

Yes, it was basically a film about tolerance. The teacher won a car by describing how peace could be achieved in 4 words and dignity and compassion were two of them I believe.