Gideon (1998)

Such a frustrating disappointment

Purely Joyful Movie!

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

I liked the concept of the Movie, even if I m so far from being "old" whatever that means these days. The message of the Movie is simple; respect the Elder ones, don't forget what they have done for you and don't push them in Retirement Homes and if then look after them. I don't get why Folks who watched the Movie didn't catch the Message.Another message is that; don't under estimate People who are mentally handicapped, they are special in their own way what Gideon in the Movie shows. They are simple minded but special. Don't look away, listen to them and you ll even learn from them. This has nothing to do with "Clichees" I was not at all surprised by Christpoher Lambert acting in and as Gideon.Just because there is no action, no car chases, no special effects, doesn't mean its not worth watching. Wonderful performances and an interesting story. Liloz advice; Its important to be reminded that little things in life count, what this Movie actually shows.

Just saw this on TV. The cast was well chosen, though a little too obviously made up to look older. Carroll O'Connor talks like Archie Bunker with giant white eyebrows and Charlton Heston looks as if he put his old Moses beard back on. Barbara Bain was excellent as a woman in the early stages of Alzheimer's.I was confused by Lambert's character--was he retarded? An angel? (a popular theme.) He reminded me of a cross between Monk and Peter Sellers in "Being There." There were very few nuances in the characters in general. The plot was very predictable: they are old and crotchety, he arrives, they get to know him. All that said, it's worth a watch, if only to see so many fine actors.

This movie is exactly what 'the pursuit of happiness' is trying to be - a movie about triumph over adversity.But this is not a movie of overcoming poverty to try and obtain a wealthy lifestyle; this is a movie about more than material things, and thank God for it.Too many films these days send out the message that if we have money then we should automatically be happy, and if we don't then it follows we should be miserable.This is about a man who, through no fault of his own, doesn't see life the way most of us do - he goes to a retirement village and shows the residents, and we the viewers as well, that living life is what should make us happy.Friendship, love and helping others is his main aim; he doesn't care what people think of him, whether they laugh at him or adore him. I found this film very uplifting and extremely heartwarming for those facts alone.However, Christopher Lambert shone in this role, his best ever in my humble opinion, and made the character of Gideon Dodds thoroughly believable. He enables the viewer, as well the elderly inmates, to see life through his eyes - and what a wonderful life it is.The other actors were excellent too, but always Lambert's character stood out and stole every scene he was in. You had to love Gideon; his innocence is what is sadly lacking in the world today - even our children grow up faster, and so lose that wide eyed guilelessness and frank honesty far too soon.The fact that Addison (Heston) reads from 'Don Quixote' towards the end of the movie says it all - yes, Gideon tilted at windmills much as Don Quixote did. But like that great fictional character he also saw all the good in people and in the world - a very special magic I think.This film is a must for anyone who still has a heart to care about others, a mind that thinks money isn't always the answer to every problem, a soul which sees beyond what another one owns and arms that long to hug someone. You will find this film a magical tale of hope, just as Gideon's elderly friends did.To anyone else; anyone who thinks that money and success, big cars and expensive houses are the answers to everything - don't bother, you'll be bored.

Don't be fooled by whatever sentimental fools commented on this movie previously, Gideon is completely terrible. I'm a big Christopher Lambert fan, and I like Charlton Heston, but this movie still really sucks. Hard.