The Mighty

Director Peter Chelsom's film adaptation of Rodman Philbrick's acclaimed novel Freak the Mighty is an amiable little gem that prevails despite some heavy-handed moments. Credit Elden Henson and Kieran Culkin (yes, Macaulay's younger brother) and the chemistry they forge as two socially outcast seventh-graders. Culkin's Kevin is an intellectual prodigy physically stunted by Morquio's syndrome; Henson's Maxwell is a gentle giant afflicted by learning disabilities and a troubled upbringing. They meet during a student-tutor session and it turns out Kevin is the new kid next door. Physically and mentally the boys complete each other, inventing a fantastical being called "Freak the Mighty" that has Kevin perched atop Max's shoulders as the boys thwart the ill doings of local bullies, resolve the heinous domestic scars inflicted by Max's nefarious father, and ultimately confront death.

The all-star adult line-up includes Sharon Stone as Kevin's single mother, Gena Rowlands, Harry Dean Stanton, and James Gandolfini as Max's father. The biggest surprise, however, is X-File-er Gillian Anderson playing a ratty, down-and-nearly-out lowlife shacked up with Meat Loaf. Now if that isn't a casting conspiracy, what is? At the Showcase Route 6 and Warwick.

-- Tom Meek