suumessage 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.

Actingboync1982 This was really a superb movie. I loved it, and I'm so mad that it isn't for sale anywhere. The actors were very good. I wish there were more movies like this. Movies about real life things are so grand, but yet we don't get them enough. If there is anyone out there who knows how I can find this movie, tell me please.

Jack95rr Gideon is an unusual film. Not because the plot material is that unusual (and, in a sense it is) but because it is a film that is character driven! My gosh, that's really unusual in these days of car chases, brutal murders, sexual peek-a-boos, etc. This is a film about PEOPLE! Just ordinary people doing ordinary things, except they are OLD (gee, another taboo that film makers seem to ignore -- people do get old -- it's a part of living). The fact they are old drives the story concerning a relative "youngster" named Gideon who comes to live with them in their retirement home. The simple approach that Gideon takes gives these people new hope. They no longer count the days till they die, Gideon awakens in them the joy of living again.The cast (look at it, and see a whole lot of famous old stars) is absolutely wonderful, each doing an Oscar winning performance (but they'll not get the award because this film is too simple -- no "bang for the buck.") They will all make you laugh and they will make you cry and they will make you care about the character they protray. That's the secret of this straight-forward little film. You will REALLY CARE what happens to all these people. You will know them before Gideon transforms them, and afterward, and each will come out of their encounter with Gideon a better person than they were before they met him. I just wish that they would put this film on a DVD so I could add it to my collection. But, it is so obscure it's not even offered on video. What a shame -- it is a classic film in the grand tradition! If you haven't seen it, try somehow to see it -- but that's gonna be tough because it's just not available anywhere.

Mickey Knox Gideon is a pleasant watchable drama about a mentally retarded adult who is sent by his aunt to an asylum. Gideon Dobbs is played superbly by Cristopher Lambert - yes, you heard me well, the guy from Highlander, Mortal Kombat or Beowulf.So you can imagine my surprise seing him in this difficult role. The story is not at all spectacular or original. It's even forced in some moments and the intentions of the director are clear from the beginning. The good point of this normal simple movie are the characters: very well built and very well played. Well maybe except for the crook (well, so-called crook) in the bar. He seems just like an element needed to accentuate Gideon's "abilities". Well it's an enjoyable drama, but too simple to worth more than a 6 out of 10.