Walking Across Egypt (1999)

Sorry, this movie sucks

Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

As is typical in films like this, a lonely senior citizen (Ellen Burstyn) feels patronized and neglected by her two grown children with too many issues to understand her needs, and finds comfort in a stranger. In this case, it is a 16 year old inmate (Jonathan Taylor Thomas) of a reformatory whom she learns about through the local dog catcher (Mark Hamill), the young boy's uncle. She visits him with pound cake and iced tea, and when he escapes, he visits her, and she agrees (unaware of the situation) to take him in for a few days. A devoted church goer determined to help those in need, the big-hearted widow is aghast when she discovers that he stole from her, but rather than confront him angrily or turn him over to the police determines to change him through her faith and the scriptures rather than the type of discipline he's received all of his life. An affection grows between the two until his whereabouts become known, and she sadly bids him adieu. But when she discovers a surprising action of his, she becomes conflicted. Will this woman, not even able to take in a stray dog, really do her Christian duty? Will she stand up to her spoiled children blinded by the rules of society that sometimes just don't work? Will she go against the advice of her preacher (Edward Hermann) and kind but judgmental neighbors? Is this a movie made for Lifetime? The answer to that last question is "No", although this does seem very much like a TV movie made possibly with the backing of some church. But in spite of its very "Christian" plot, this has elements of films that might not appeal to all Christian groups. Wesley (Thomas) curses, steals and smokes, things that Burstyn's lonely widow definitely does not care for. She also hates his hair and is shocked by the fact that he can't swim. But her character of Mattie Rigsbee is not the type of Churchy lady you want to avoid being preached to by. Wesley first thinks that Mattie is his grandma, and even continuously refers to her as such, even though she denies that altogether. You get to see their relationship go from his using her, her determined to help him move into a new direction, and eventually the love that sometimes can be shocking because it is from a total stranger unrelated to the other.Their performances are what makes this movie avoid becoming cloying, as well as the humor provided by many of the situations (particularly the sight of son Judge Reinhold standing on a ladder that suddenly splits in two after he has badmouthed Wesley to his mama). Then, there is the elderly couple next door, played by veterans Harve Presnell and Gwen Verdon. While these two musical theater vets don't break out in song and dance, they do share their comic talents. Dana Ivey has a "Margaret Hamilton" like role as the holier than thou preacher's wife, and every time she gives one of those pickle-pussed smirks, it is hysterically funny and real. Pat Corley ("Murphy Brown's" gravely voiced bartender Phil) adds some genuine heart to his typical Southern sheriff.As for the sequences in the reformatory, there is a tension that flares up as Wesley and his young black pal deal with bullies and engage in a fight that lands the lead bully in the hole. This brings on fears of a violent end that adds some adult tension into the fray, as well as a warning to youngsters of what to watch out for if they get into trouble. It is nice to see a movie where a beloved veteran actress like the lovely Ellen Burstyn gets to share some heartwarming scenes with a young actor, and Thomas works well with her, obviously thrilled to having the opportunity to work with a living legend. Some of the minor plots, however, are not either explained or concluded, particularly the fate of the poor pooch on the verge of extermination or the issues with Burstyn's children. It is also not dealt with the issue of why Burstyn feels she must go out and buy a coffin, since it is never indicated if she is sick or dying. However, those minor blunders aside, this ends up being a sweet movie that manages to glue the generation gap shut and shows how different eras can come together in understanding and love.

Having fallen in love with Clyde Edgerton's novel of the same title, I was apprehensive about watching Walking Across Egypt, keeping in mind the tendency of film adaptations to destroy their literary basis. If I had not read the novel I could possibly have viewed the movie and thought it 'cute', my typical verdict on films with passable acting and saccharine plot lines. As it was, I cannot confess to having enjoyed it much beyond chuckling at the horrific Southern accents of the lead actors.The screenwriter added plot devices, such as having an extra bonding scene between Mattie and Wesley and a vindictive boy at the YMRC that simply weren't necessary in the book.Also priceless is Jonathan Taylor Thomas's attempt at looking pensive in the boat scene by merely tilting his head to the side and having an unreadable expression.

Independent films are becoming some of my favorites, because you get to see great actors who aren't "big" enough to get leading roles in the studio movies. Ellen Burstyn, one of the biggest stars of the '70s, and still one of the most talented actresses working, has found new life for her waning career in independent pictures like Color of Evening, The Spitfire Grill, this film and most recently her Oscar nominated (which should have been Oscar winning) performance in Requiem for a Dream. After a string of 5 Oscar nominations in the '70s and early '80s, she found her best roles were in the past and saw her career take a downward turn, with 2 Emmy nominated TV-movie roles (The People vs. Jean Harris and Pack of Lies), a great part in How to Make an American Quilt and the lead in The Cemetery Club being notable exceptions to the many unsatisfying acting jobs she had in the '80s and '90s. Fortunately, she can still get great parts like Mattie Rigsbee in Walking Across Egypt and proves she still has what it takes.This movie is a touching story about a lonely widow and a troubled but basically decent teen who has never been loved. Mattie needs someone to love and take care of, because her two spoiled children (played by Gail O'Grady and Judge Reinhold) don't really want to be bothered with her. In fact, her daughter wants to put her in a retirement home. She would much rather be in her house and near her friends and church, though. As Mattie puts it, she is "slowing down." But, she's sharp as a tack and can still take care of herself.Walking Across Egypt does a great job of illustrating the hypocrisy of so-called Christians. Mattie loves God deeply (when she sings hymns, the best thing that can be said is that she does it with a pure heart) and wants very much to do what He would want. So, she reaches out to young Wesley (played with a new maturity by handsome young Jonathan Taylor Thomas), a 16 year old boy in the Young Men's Rehabilitation Center about whom she hears from his uncle, the local dogcatcher. When things go awry, her minister (Edward Herrmann), the very one whose sermon prompted Mattie's kindness to Wesley, shows some rather un-Christian behavior (as does his wife) that is the antithesis of Mattie's good intentions and of his own preaching.The acting in this movie is all excellent, especially, of course, Ellen Burstyn, who is made up to look 20 years older than she really does. She is the heart and soul of the film, and, as usual brings depth to her character that can't be described in writing. Those eyes of hers always get to me and are her secret weapon in acting. JTT proves with this role that he is becoming a fine young actor and shouldn't join the ranks of has-been child stars. Another standout is the late Gwen Verdon's amusing performance as Mattie's ditzy neighbor. Mark (Luke Skywalker) Hamill is appropriately slack-jawed as the dogcatcher, Lamar.I won't reveal any more details, as the viewer should experience the development of Mattie and Wesley's relationship for him/herself. There are some very funny moments, as well as some poignant and even ones that might inspire tears. Overall it is the story of a troubled boy who is looking for hope and redemption and how he finds it improbably in an elderly woman who is herself needing something to fill an empty space.

This movie blew me away completely. I am a Jonathan Taylor Thomas fan, and had been waiting to see him in a new movie. Some of his others films were pretty corny, and I was afraid that he would not escape his "bubble gum, sugar-sweet" image, However, this film proves he can do drama as well as the next guy. Everyone in my family enjoyed the movie tremendously- especially me. Ellen Burnstyn is superb as Mattie, the elderly God-fearing woman practically looking forward her to funeral, until Wesley comes along. He brings youth and joy to her life, and she brings intelligence, truth, and God into his. Both sides benefit from this experience. I would recommend this movie to anyone who is looking for a heartfelt, meaningful drama that is also sweet and funny.