Search - Tuck Everlasting on DVD

My favorite movie from the latest century

Yarby | Medina, OH United States | 11/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had to laugh the guy who placed the review on this site, claiming that "Tuck Everlasting" is a boring movie that put him to sleep. Following the link to see the rest of his reviews, he has given "Jackass" a four-star rating and "The Hot Chick" five stars. Guess some people find any movie that takes some gray-matter to be a little to slow for their taste!

This is a wonderful movie. It is actually too bad that it is being marketed incorrectly. This is not just a children's movie, but a first class film through and through. Ben Kingsley, Alexis Bledel, William Hurt and Sissy Spacek shine. Ms. Bledel may prove to be one of the finest actresses of our current time if she keeps it up.

One of the first things that struck me about this movie was that it didn't appear to be a product of its time. There is no vile language, no potty humor, and the story actually makes the viewer contemplate whether they, themselves, would want to be immortal.

The DVD transfer is beautiful, quite a change from most Disney DVD's. The extras are rather limited, but who cares. This is a great movie, and can stand on its own."

THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH...

Lawyeraau | Balmoral Castle | 09/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Disney scores another home run with this delightful film, lovingly adapted from the popular children's book of the same name by Natalie Babbit. Although there was some artistic license taken with the book, it is nothing that takes away from its central theme. The changes actually serve it well, and Disney has done a masterful job in creating another beautiful family film.

The film takes place in the early twentieth century, just when cars are coming into use. The film revolves around fifteen year old Winnifred "Winnie" Foster (Alexis Bledel), daughter of wealthy socialites, and the mysterious Tuck family, who lives deep in the woods owned by the Fosters. It seems that Winnie is an independent sort of gal who is chafing under the restrictions imposed by her prim and proper parents (Victor Garber and Amy Irving). While wandering on her own in those very same woods one day, lost and thirsty, she comes across seventeen year old Jesse Tuck (Jonathan Jackson), who is drinking from a small spring of water. When she wants to follow suit, he stops her from drinking. She also comes across his older, bitter brother, Miles Tuck (Scott Bairstow), who basically takes her by force deep into the woods to where the Tuck cabin is hidden. There, Winnie meets the boys' parents, Mae (Sissy Spacek) and Angus Tuck (William Hurt).

The Tucks are initially flummoxed by Winnie's appearance in their midst, but Mae Tuck reassures her that she will be returned unharmed to her parents, once they are sure that she can be trusted. During her short sojourn with the Tucks, Winnie finds herself enjoying the time spent with the Tucks, especially with Jesse. Winnie begins to fall in love with Jesse and he with her. Gradually, she learns the mystery that binds the Tucks. In the meantime, a sinister man in a yellow suit (Ben Kingsley) has tracked the Tucks to their cabin in the woods, as he suspects what their secret is and wants it for himself, so that he may exploit it for profit. When he poses a danger to Winnie, Mae takes action that forces her to do something that she would rather not have had to do. This places the Tucks in a quandary, as the Fosters believe that they had kidnapped Winnie, based upon information previously given to them by the man in the yellow suit. The outside world suddenly intrudes upon the Tuck family in a way that would eventually lead to their secret being revealed to all and sundry. Winnie helps them to keep their secret, leaving her to make a life defining decision.

Director Jay Carroll has directed a film that is simply wonderful, both magical and philosophical. He has a first class cast that conveys the story in a way of which the author of the book may be proud. The performances are simply stellar. Alexis Bledel is delightful as Winnifred "Winnie" Foster, reminding me of a very young Winona Ryder. Jonathan Jackson is terrific as the boyish, good looking Jesse, and has, undoubtedly, acquired a following of young girls, as a result of this film. Sissy Spacek is as always superlative, imbuing the character of Mae with a warmth and sensitivity that makes one root for her, when an apparent injustice has transpired. William Hurt gives a thoughtful performance as the patriarch of the star-crossed Tuck clan. Scott Bairstow's performance is a little on the strident side, but effective, nonetheless. Kudos go to Amy Irving and Victor Garber as Mr. and Mrs. Foster, Winnie's restrictive, blue-blood parents. Ben Kingsley is suitably sinister as the man in the yellow suit who threatens to take the secret of the Tuck family up a disastrous path.

This is a heartwarming and tender film with a lovely and haunting musical score. It is a film that will simply delight viewers, It is rated "PG", but its innocence serves to underscore some of its philosophically potent, underlying themes. The film provides much food for thought and has a depth that is surprising. It is a film that is worthy of being in one's personal collection. Bravo!"