It is a good film, but very busy for such a complex story, so much so that, I believe, for a better understanding, it would be good to read the short story "The Summer of Corruption - Intelligent Student", by Stephen King, which served as a basis for the script. The performances were average, nothing surprising. Perhaps the short duration of the film has hindered it by making it too dense (and in certain moments weak), making it impossible for those who watch a more accurate understanding, and this leads to a poor understanding of the film.
The original short story is part of "Different Seasons" by Stephen King, along with the source stories for "Stand By Me" and "The Shawshank Redeption". This movie is the only of the three where the writen version, i think, is better. While the film adaptations tighten up King's words, this is the only movie where that hurts the narrative. Apt Pupil works best as a slow burn where the main character descends into madness over a few years. The film needed to shorten it to just a year as to use the same actor without him getting older. This cuts several pivotal scenes and the entire ending.
I feel this is one of King's more chilling works and the film adaptation is not a bold as the written material.
Ian McKellen shines as usual, and Brad Renfro holds his own although the script doesnt give him much range to work with
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eliezerladeira
It is a good film, but very busy for such a complex story, so much so that, I believe, for a better understanding, it would be good to read the short story "The Summer of Corruption - Intelligent Student", by Stephen King, which served as a basis for the script. The performances were average, nothing surprising. Perhaps the short duration of the film has hindered it by making it too dense (and in certain moments weak), making it impossible for those who watch a more accurate understanding, and this leads to a poor understanding of the film.nowhereman136
The original short story is part of "Different Seasons" by Stephen King, along with the source stories for "Stand By Me" and "The Shawshank Redeption". This movie is the only of the three where the writen version, i think, is better. While the film adaptations tighten up King's words, this is the only movie where that hurts the narrative. Apt Pupil works best as a slow burn where the main character descends into madness over a few years. The film needed to shorten it to just a year as to use the same actor without him getting older. This cuts several pivotal scenes and the entire ending.I feel this is one of King's more chilling works and the film adaptation is not a bold as the written material.
Ian McKellen shines as usual, and Brad Renfro holds his own although the script doesnt give him much range to work with
5/10