Highly Overrated But Still Good

Blistering performances.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

It is difficult to place,the place that Jack Mcloud and Dog(Named Betty Jane) have in this film,however it will not be lost.We are to learn that the husband to and the father of two boys is reported to have been shot down while serving in the Korean War.Jeanne Holman(played by Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) and her 2 boys,Tom Holman (young Tom Holman-played by Joseph Mazzello) and Gunther"Gunny" Holman (played by Seth Mumy)are driving in the downtown area when there is an automobile accident whereby a Hitch Hiker(Jack Mcloud)appears to have been struck.Local Law enforcement suggests that everyone go home and that this individual move along.The individual is not thought of as a honest man and is treated as a no account vagrant who may very well been laying low in some attempted insurance scam,however he does have a broken ankle and though out of site there is a cast placed on the injured ankle.The individual who was treated and released was indeed a bit down on his luck as he was residing on a park bench after a nights rest.In the account of the accident there was a dog who was unharmed and the hitch hiker.The dog somehow shows up at the home of Jeanne Holman,with a young Tom Holman credited with finding Betty Jean(The Name the hitch hiker called the dog) Jeanne Holman tells the boys that they can not keep the dog and while in route to place the dog in a dog pound Betty Jean gets loose and rejoins the hitch hiker.Jeanne Holman pursues and happens upon this individual who as suggested was resting on a park bench.Jeanne Holman provides the individual with a way out of town with this adventure not ending until somehow this individual now is a guest of the Holmans.Jeanne Holman says he can stay till he is able to walk without the cast.If there was anything that this wanderer brought with him as the days past it was having a good effect though perhaps at times bumpy(A sunbathing incident as an example).Who was this individual? It was something of a question.We are shown a Silver Star within his belongings and The Silver Star is placed between the pages of a diary,though most of the pages of this book have yet to be written,they were merely blank it was to be sure the Silver Star(5 prongs with a ribbon of blue-white-red-white-blue colors)(I personally tried to read the pages between which the Silver Star had been placed and was unable to.I increased the size of the viewing image and as well I used a Magnifying glass to look closer and could not determine what was written)It remained a mystery though even one of the parents(the coach of the little league baseball team) thought that this Jack Mcloud was an X-ballplayer from the white sox organization.Was this a planned event in time as yet to occur? Time did not forget as Jack Mcloud(played by Patrick Swayze) and Dog(Named Betty Jane) brought something back to life from the everlasting.He passed this way and provided for three wishes.A very good perhaps deeply held conviction in what would not be forgotten and in not forgetting we as well are not forgotten.This motion picture has its place but it may not be in this world that its place will reside.Its place rest in ones spirit,in ones heart,in ones soul.This is that moving a film that destiny plays apart in the ultimate determination of this films place.A honorable mention is made of an older Tom Holman played by Michael O keefe.It is,when an older Tom Holman recognizes Jack Mcloud and it is here that I stopped this film and went back.I did this more than once if only to know better.Jack Mcloud appeared not to have aged a day as time had all but stood still though for Tom Holman who was now along the way in this his life.His family,wife and children(two girls)were near by when Jack Mcloud talked again to Tom Holman.This scene takes place on hollowed ground as it is a site whereby many of our servicemen are layed to rest.I am not able to suggest that this might in fact be Arlington National Cemetery but indeed there are Flags about the gravestones of this our honored dead.Tom Holman is directed by a now ageless Jack Mcloud to take a look around and when the older Tom Holman turns back Jack Mcloud is gone.Tom Holman says as though it was all eternity that spoke Thank You-Thank You Jack.The camera pans to a previously unseen gravestone and for the first time we see the name on the gravestone of one JW Mcloud Born March 28,1919 Died Aug 6 1944.A loving tribute is(suggested) here and it will not be forgotten.There is some suggestion otherwise however there is no suggestion whereby lest we forget.I think that is the film and indeed it is a very lovely telling of this rather lovely story.The Silver Star is awarded for Gallantry In Action against an armed enemy of the United States.There is no claim made by the film makers to have told a true story though as per the roles of our honored dead with particular reference to Jack Mcloud as a recipient of the Medal of Honor no such reference seems to have existed.There is a further attempt to clarify the reference to JW Mcloud as having died during the second World War.The date of August 6, 1944 on the gravestone suggests only that allied armed forces were all over the globe with much action occurring in Italy and even in the South Pacific(Landings at Saipan was already in motion as Per the South Pacific)However there was no mention on the so honored roles of our awarded recipients to have ever provided such a privilege for one JW Mcloud.It may very well be that JW Mcloud was the name of a character whereby he as a character was provided with a life not known in this world but not lost in this world either.

I watched this film today, while I had the day off work, just bumming around on the sofa when I checked the movie channels and saw that this one had just started. I thought the story line was pretty basic, and the same kind of family film idea's have been used before but this one I really enjoyed. Had a very nice ending, and the acting was pretty good. Acting was good and I agree that the boy's acting was pretty good. Very good for family viewing, might buy it on DVD for my girlfriend if I can find it on the web somewhere. I didn't find it very emotional but I can see how some people would, the film does have some sad parts, but the ending is very pleasant and rounds off a very nicely written film.

I watched this movie on TV twice. It's the first movie I've watched by Patrick Swayze. I was moved by the story and felt myself like that little Tom very much. I couldn't help crying when I saw the ending and told myself I should learn from this movie. And till then I began to understand the meaning of the movie. It's a good movie for a family to watch together. I think many people can learn from this movie that we should cherish what we already have had in hand. As the saying says, happiness lies in satisfaction.And it's not a big story, so it may not have got much attention from audience. But still I would say it's a good movie.

I read one of the comments and it wasn't favorable.. but I'll venture to disagree. the movie held my interest until 2:30 in the am.. it made me laugh and cry and it touched my heart strings.all the little boys did a real good job acting, as did the adults. it sent many positive messages on living life and being true to yourself...and the courage to do what makes you happy.also that prayer works.... I e-mailed one of my daughters and told her she too might enjoy it.. so what if it's fantasy...it was a feel good flick and I am happy I had the chance to view it..by far beats all the horror and murder movies and give hope that the world can be turned into a better place one man/woman at a time....