Good concept, poorly executed.

Blistering performances.

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

The acting in this movie is really good.

I came across this film by chance on television many years ago. I'm glad I saw it; it's a beautiful Belgian film that has such warmth and tears of humanity in it. The film is based on two men who meet and become friends: Georges, an autistic person who has spent most of his life in an institution, leaves to visit his family and encounters Harry, a successful businessman who has neglected his family. The performances by their actors (Daniel Auteuil and Pascal Duquenne) are wonderfully passionate and complement each other very well, they make such a perfect couple that both actors shared a Cannes award for their acting. The film parallels the French literary classic "The Little Prince", where two different characters travel and bond together. One is steeped in the harshness of reality and learns to appreciate kindness and the wonders of life; the other is a childlike figure who follows fantasy and learns about maturity and sacrifice of adulthood. In both tales the two must part ways in a bittersweet ending (alas), as one is far too unreal to last long in the world, but at least his presence has changed the other's life for the better. The two actors are so good that one nearly overlooks the director who gave them a great setup. The direction and story, both done by Jaco Van Dormael, provide a wonderful yet reasonable setting that blends magic and reality in a masterful and subtle manner.I only saw this film once, but it has stayed with me throughout the years. It's one of those special films that everyone should watch.

After the Movie GIDEON! I never thought any Movie will ever touch my Heart so badly. This Movie so heartwarming. You laugh and you ll cry. French tend to make Movies too Dramatic, but this was different. Many people had problem with the End. The End was really frustrating and they added that song. I cried my eyes off. The song is about " love for a Mother." Very Intense and touching.Comparing this Movie to Rain Man, Rain man looks sillier. The Eighth Day (Le Huitième Jour)Recommendable for the ones, who sometimes enjoy Dramatic European Movies. Watched in the Original language, don't know if it is available in English Subtitels but German though.

a great film, one of the funniest films ever. the only thing that disturbed me is the music sounds like flashdance...what a feeling.. also it would be more believable if the character Daniel Auteuil plays were a loser businessman,that would be less effective but more believable. but anything else is valid, credible and even realist.. the scene with Georges's sister is touching , the scene with the maid is moving and bitter,the shoe shop scene ,the opening sequence and some others are hilarious. but the car shop one is gone too far..oh well, another issue on the subplot,he is neither unfaithful nor abusive. I don't know what's the problem between harry and his wife. I think I would stand by harry's side like I did in "war of roses".it's my first film about Down syndrome people, those forgotten souls(people now only care about and spend too much time and energy on blacks who are actually the real oppressors today)...

This film is about the unlikely friendship between a businessman and a man with Down Syndrome.The character development in this film is excellent. We get to believe that Harry is a businessman who neglects his family, and Georges is an innocent man who craves loving and care from the "normal" society. Acting is excellent, and the Cannes best actor award is well deserved.The fantasy scenes in the film highlights the fact that Georges misery towards his abandonment by his family, and his desire to be treated like a normal person. The song that gets played repeatedly also reinforces this message. The film shows that people who are mentally handicapped are good natured. We have been treating them with discrimination and neglect, a fact that is highlighted by the scene where Georges gives a present to the waitress in the kitchen). If we get to understand and share these people's world, both we and the mentally handicapped can become very happy.I was so drawn into the film and the characters' emotional experiences. It is a touching film for good natured souls.