Candleshoe (1977)

Surprisingly incoherent and boring

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

I adore this film. It's silly, kinetic, delightful, and funny. The plot: con-artist Harry Bundage (Leo Mckern) hires an American orphan and lookalike named Casey Brown(Jodie Foster) to go to England and pose as the long-lost granddaughter of Lady St. Edmund (Helen Hayes), who resides in the Candleshoe estate. Harry believes that there's a valuable treasure hidden somewhere within the estate and wants Casey to retrieve it. As Casey grows more attached to the residents of Candleshoe, the question remains, will she betray them or will she have a change of heart and grow to love her newfound family?Jodie Foster is very good in the role of an anarchist tomboy. Her vibrant screen presence makes the film exciting. She's not simply delivering her lines like a lot of child actors but her movements, facial expressions, and eyes do the talking as well. She plays a smart, mature, and tough character. The youngsters who watch the film would probably look up to her as a role model and leader because she stands up against the adult establishment; at times outsmarting them and making them look like bumbling fools. There are other elements kids would identify with as well. For example, the villains are harsh and hostile, and probably similar to how the adult world is seen through kids' eyes. The two seniors at Candleshoe are easy for kids to identify with because they are akin to grandparents. They are amiable, lovable, and adore the company of kids.Many colorful characters are introduced. Some of them are three dimensional and mostly goofy. The shots, action, and images in the film are inventive and amusing, at times are akin to the frames out of a comic book. The story is multifaceted with many plot developments and subplots. The estate, locations, costumes, and sets are elaborate, pristine, and gorgeous.There are minor flaws. By the end of the story, some major questions are never answered. Some plot developments seem contrived and sidetracked. As well, some characters can be better and more thoroughly developed. However, there are enough in-jokes and sophistication that adults will enjoy this film as well. It's a fun and classy family picture.

I'm not a JODIE FOSTER fan, but she's well cast as the tomboy posing as a wealthy aristocrat's long lost daughter, really on a mission to discover where the wealth is hidden.David NIVEN is the aristocrat's butler, but forced to assume many different disguises to keep HELEN HAYES from realizing that she has almost no household staff other than him. Seems they are facing hard times just keeping up with the payments on the castle called "Candleshoe," an elegant British house in the countryside that provides a handsome setting for the story.Foster, Niven and Hayes give delightful performances and keep the film going whenever it runs out of steam--which, unfortunately, happens toward the end when the slapstick becomes something better left to the likes of a Buster Keaton or a Charlie Chaplin.Neverthelss, kids and adults will be drawn into the story, deftly played and well directed with enough humor and excitement to keep any viewer interested until the wacky finale.And that "Candleshoe" house is something to see. As Jodie Foster says, "What a shack!"

In between the time when Jodie Foster played a prostitute in "Taxi Driver" and made* John Hinckley decide to shoot Ronald Reagan, she starred in some kid-oriented movies, of which "Candleshoe" was one. In this one, she plays street urchin Casey Brown, whom gangster Harry Bundage (Leo McKern) sends to pretend to be the granddaughter of aristocrat Lady St. Edmund (Helen Hayes). As expected, Casey gets too much into character, and Harry decides to get nasty.This movie's nothing special, for the most part. However, I will admit that it was my introduction to David Niven. In fact, when I saw Leo McKern, I recognized him as the guy chasing the Beatles in "Help!", and I wondered if HIS name was David Niven. Within a year, however, I saw "The Pink Panther" and figured out which one David Niven was. I later saw Leo McKern in "The Omen" (that horror flick is supposed to be sacrosanct; WHY did they have to remake it?!).I admit that it's weird to review a "cute" Disney movie and mention a movie like "The Omen". But the truth is, I take pride in doing those sorts of things (and today is 06/06/06 - or 666 - after all). As for "Candleshoe" itself, it is a kids' movie, but I guess that it's harmless. The only other cast member whom I recognize is Vivian Pickles (Grimsworthy); she played Harold's mother in "Harold and Maude". Weird.Who ever would have assumed that the girl from the late '70s Disney flicks would later play an FBI agent interviewing a cannibal? *I find it hard to believe that John Hinckley shot Reagan to impress Jodie Foster. The whole thing seems kinda sketchy. Oh well. At least it led to the Brady Campaign Against Gun Violence (sign yourself up at bradycampaign.org).

The long lost heir(heiress) gambit has been used in theater and film it seems like forever. In this film conman Leo McKern has heard of and searched out a 15 year old girl who could be the heiress to a minor title of nobility in Britain. He flies her over from Los Angeles to rural Britain and has her meet her purported "grandmother" Helen Hayes.Of course this is old stuff for Hayes. Ingrid Bergman was also to be her granddaughter in Anastasia. Here it's Jodie Foster. I don't think even Jodie Foster now would compare herself to Ingrid Bergman, but Candleshoe is a great deal lighter than Anastasia. Still Helen Hayes is a less formidable grandmother than the Dowager Empress of Anastasia, but as it turns out not quite as dotty as everyone believes she is.So now we've got elements of Kidnapped, Anastasia and now to add to that mix, a sprinkle of Kind Hearts and Coronets. David Niven as her devoted butler Priory also gets to play a chauffeur, a gardener, and a neighbor. And come to think of it, the neighbor character is a bit of a spoof on what Niven won his Oscar for in Separate Tables. It's a joy to watch David Niven do these nice little turns as other characters.So Disney taking the best of at least four films I count now and other viewers might spot some more. Candleshoe is a nice little stew of an entertaining film. And incidentally the title is the name of Helen Hayes's estate.