Radio Flyer

SPOILER NOTHING BUT SPOILER I have to add my name to the list of folks who feel that the other viewers just don't get it. But no one has even mentioned the "s" word so far as I have seen. While I agree that the kid died I think we can be more specific: he committed suicide. He races down the slope in an old wagon, shoots off the cliff and..."flies away". Maybe the whole account of the form of death is allegory or maybe he does commit suicide in a wagon as laid out. In either case, he "flies away" (c'mon, not that tough a metaphor). Maybe I just have a thing for Tom Hanks, but I was ok with the narration. Besides he is raising $ for the WW2 memorial and you gotta love him for that. Oh yeah, I loved the movie and found it incredibly moving.

I liked this film, but the subject matter was very hard to watch. The abuse in this film was unexpected and it was never onscreen, but it was still a difficult subject. The film is interesting and quite a departure for the director, Richard Donner. Good film, but if you cringe at the idea of child abuse, look elsewhere.

Half way through I thought to myself "that kid looks like Elijah Wood" and well, that's because he was. Took me a long while to clock the fact though. Tom Hank's voice over was spectacular the performances of both Elijah and Joseph were equally as good, the film leaves you wondering what happened to Bobby, and like the mystery of Tom Bombadil, it is best we never find out and can only guess.

I won't go into detail about the synopsis, acting and music as it has been lauded adequately by others. I do wish to explain the ending (and film) as I saw it. There was no 'little brother'. He was created by the older son to take the abuse, misery and loneliness he himself was enduring. The 'escape'at the end was his goodbye to his imaginary self. His postcards to himself are a reminder of those difficult times. I haven't seen the film in years, but this idea has stayed with me from my first viewing. An excellent film.

Everything about this film is simply incredible. You truly take this journey through the eyes and soul of a child. I do feel it is important to note this tale is about child abuse. Don't rent it for your kids thinking it is a fun, disney-esque film.

WARNING-SPOILERS! Having looked over the other user comments, I find myself puzzled as to why nobody seems to have come up with a most obvious interpretation of this movie's ending. There are, after all, some clues that so much of this story is only in Mike's imagination. And yet people go on about how the ending is "unrealistic." Well, DUH-UH! (Major Spoiler and my own take on it.) Bobby DOESN'T REALLY EXIST! He never did! He is Mike's IMAGINARY PLAYMATE! It so happens that Mike must let his imaginary playmate go right at the same time that the King is arrested, and so the two events come together in Mike's mind. Well, that's my two cent's worth.