scholara2 I've come to the habit of going to IMDb to check out reviews b4 watching films, especially lesser known ones.After reading the reviews on this one, which seem to be polar opposites, I decided what the heck, lets take a look.The film was totally unappealing, with all the lead kid characters being obnoxious and reprehensible, including Owen.Another child who has cancer tries to befriend Owen, but Owen repeatedly wants nothing to do with him. The absolute turn off came when Owen lures this sick boy into a vicious ambush by his friends, where they punch and kick this kid repeatedly.What the heck is going on here?! And then when Owen is confronted by his father over the role he played in this attack, he turns around and justifies his action and said the kid deserved it...and why? Owen at first whines about his own mortality, and then defiantly blames the other boy, as if that kid purposely got leukemia so he could constantly remind Owen of his own illness (oh brother!).Hey, I know kids at that age can be cruel, but I don't know anyone (thank God) who would beat up the terminally ill.At this point, I switched channels.Apparently Owen learned NOTHING from Mr. Rice. I made the mistake of turning the channel back to the movie when Owen and his friend talk to the goon Percy to enlist his help on I don't know what.Percy picks his nose and wipes it on the face of Owen's friend, leaving a visible mark, and then sticks his finger in the kid's mouth (ugghhh!!!).I really don't know how ANYONE could give this movie high marks. I really don't. Those who did must be out of their minds, or LOST their minds. The reviewers who gave this film a thumbs up are as screwed up as this film. I agree with the reviewer who said this is one SICK and BIZARRE film.IMHO, this is NOT a "must see", or "A deep exploration of a difficult topic", or "sensitive". Maybe the director was trying to make an object lesson about being compassionate to the terminally ill, but what little I saw of it, it focused on the cruel, and NOT on compassion.As for the "acting", if you could call it that, it was horrible. The kids from my neighborhood, or any neighborhood, could've done a better job.David Bowie was the one surprising point of sanity and calm in this film, but alas, his time was only a few minutes, and only thru flashbacks.I'm just sorry I even watched this film for as short a time I did. I admit perhaps, that by not watching the entire thing, I may have missed it's redeeming parts, but the two I mentioned above were enough for me. And from the other negative reviews, I see there wasn't any redeeming value to this trash. I'm not even giving it one star. This one's in negative territory.

thomas_m_32 I'm giving this film a awful score. It's entertaining to watch just because it is that bad. There is a scene in the movie where the main character is being made fun of at baseball try outs. He rushes as the kid making fun of him. The one kid sidesteps him and than everyone on the baseball team throws baseballs at him. It's honestly funny only because it would never happen in real life. The coaches would have stepped in a long time ago. If you choose to watch this movie that scene is why you should do it. Other than that is a simply bad movie half fantasy and half real life with unrealistic scenes mixed in. Making it totally unbelievable. But totally worth watching for it's suckyness

deerlove Mr. Bowie's first few attempts at acting were stiff. Absolute Beginners was more like a music video than a dramatic story. Although I own and enjoy Labyrinth, I was hoping to see him in something better than a cartoon character. His bid for the Elf king was not unwelcome in my view, though he was a little old for the part at the time. This film shows his mysterious persona at it's best. He seems to be the person he is playing. I do not want to spoil the story for any "new viewers", so I will not give specific details. The treasure hunt provides intrigue for the viewer and a sorely needed diversion for a desperate child at the end of all hope. The ending satisfies any sentimental person. I would buy this film if I found it on DVD.

rabauer08031 First, I think what Mel Morris is looking for that distinguishes the Canadian film is the accent. There's not too much that is tougher on the ear than listening to a Canadian adolescent male's voice change with that accent. No offense to the Canadian folk...it's extremely distinctive.Otherwise, a decent film, and I think the message that is sent in the film is that kids, even 12-13 year-olds who should know better, still can be cruel, even to terminally ill cancer patients who are trying to live out their lives as normally as can be. The one problem that I have with the film is the lack of adult intervention, especially the fight at the tennis courts and at the Little League tryouts. The directors went a little too over the top to drive the point across.