Search - The Stone Boy on DVD

Captures the timeless "feel" of rural life & attitudes

10/12/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I loved this movie, not only because it is a sensitive and realistic account of one family's tragedy and lingering aftermath, but also because it truly captures the essence of life in rural America. Seeing it brought back memories of living on an Eastern Colorado farm, and of how the families formed real community, sharing their struggles and heartaches as well as happy times. These people are strong and often silent, drawing from within when a loved one dies rather than talking over problems or complaining incessantly about their sorrows. Support from the rest of the community comes in the form of quiet understanding, not trying to pry or get the mourners "to open up" but giving them time, space, and love. It might not be the way we would choose to handle a similar situation, but it is dead on as far as farm communities go. Most farmers face daily struggles the rest of us can't imagine: wondering if a sudden storm or pestilence will end their lifestyle and cost them the land they have farmed for generations. And unlike "9 to 5" jobs, the crops and livestock don't wait for "time off" to grieve and heal. "The Stone Boy" did a great job of portraying the difficult --- yet rewarding --- lifestyle and all its complicated integrity."

An intelligent, very moving film.

07/15/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Robert Duval and Glenn Close are superb as the parents of "the stone boy". Based on a short story by writer Gina Berriault. Informed and sensitively directed, this is a great film. They don't come any better than this! A memorable, beautiful story. Don't miss it!"

The Stone Boy

08/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

""The Stone Boy" is a perfect example of how rural America handles a tragedy and then moves on. I have lived in Kansas all my life and could really sense the feelings of the family and especially the young boy who accidently killed his brother. Farm life is a hard life, especially now in 2002 and people in rural communities out here respect the need for a families privacy as well as the time to heal from such a tragic event. I can best identify with the family and their portrail of the events that followed the death of their older son, Eugene. It has happened to our family and the experiences were very similar to those portrayed in "The Stone Boy" It takes a lot of courage, campassion, love and understanding to deal with an accidental death. (in my case, my uncle was killed when his tractor overturned and crushed him to death while he was mowing a ditch a long the road.) It takes even more to realize that your day-to-day chores still have to get done no matter how you feel. "The Stone Boy" deminstrates this in a very perfect way. It takes even more in reality for a family to admit that they are feeling the stress and sorrow of the loss of someone who they loved so much (my uncle). I also know how the younger son must have felt when he was on the bus and finally caved in telling another passanger, crying that "I killed Eugene, the gun fired and I killed Eugene." This film is a very sensitive and honost look at the struggles of rural life and how one family copes with and learnes to move beyond the death of their older boy, Eugene while helping the younger son overcome his guilt."

Superb quiet film

Westley | Stuck in my head | 02/01/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw this movie quite a few years ago and was deeply moved. It is a film that is quiet and slow, but that provides the patient viewer with innumerable rewards. The plot concerns the accidental death of the oldest son in the family and the blame placed on the youngest son for this death. Although the family does not directly blame the youngest son, he feels tremendous guilt and the family memebers slowly pull away from him and each other. The movie has a great feel for rural families and small-town life and doesn't provide any easy answers or excess sentiment. Look for Linda Hamilton in a small early role as a bus passenger."