Boring

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

Two young brothers, motherless and now relying on their workaholic father, try becoming closer to their only surviving parent while stationed in Tunisia. Director Jerry Schatzberg, working from an incredibly dull screenplay by Barra Grant, via Florence Montgomery's novel, never shakes the lead out, and the picture seems stillborn as a result. Henry Thomas, one of the most intuitive child actors of this era, doesn't match up well with Gene Hackman; the two are supposed to be estranged, but there's no connection between them at the finale, either. A depressing experience, with the curious location not helping matters. * from ****

(also may contain spoiler for the movie Incompresso)SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILERDoes Andrew die in the the end? Hackman says to his son (as I remember) "you've got to get better" and his son says something like "I will." I think I read a review or something somewhere that in Incompresso, the son dies in the end and if this movie is a remake of the 1966 Italian then I would think he doesn't make it. By the way, does anyone know if Incompresso is not in English and one would have to watch the DVD with subtitles? Also, what scenes are different and where can one get Incompresso? How would you rate it compared to Misunderstood because IMDb has it quite a bit higher.Thanks

I have seen this movie countless times and it never gets old. This is definitely one of Gene Hackman's most touching and best performances ever! Henry Thomas also gives a brilliant performance as his son, Andrew. Beautifully directed by Jerry Schatzberg, this movie illustrates everything a movie should be. You just cannot find great movies like this anymore. Although a tearjerker, this movie is true to life and makes an important statement about life and love. Why this movie is not available on DVD is incomprehensible. It should be in every family's movie collection. This movie, I believe is out of print, but if you can find it, BUY IT!! You won't be disappointed.

I have been enjoying this film for 20 years and it makes me cry buckets every time.....but in a good way - the feeling of release is immense.Gene Hackman's performance is superb but it's Henry Thomas who is the star; forget E.T., this is real acting. While I admit that the plot-line of two young children losing their mother is depressing, it is sadly a fact of life and I think the film more than adequately portrays the sudden devastating impact on the both the surviving parent and the children. Moreover, it shows the lesson to be learned by all workaholic fathers at how important a hands-on role is to their children and themselves. As an English nanny, I have seen and experienced the sadness all too often. Women - watch and weep. Men - watch, weep and learn! This film should be on DVD NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!