Directed by:
Bryan SingerScreenplay:
Brandon BoyceCinematography:
Newton Thomas SigelComposer:
John OttmanCast:
Ian McKellen, Brad Renfro, Bruce Davison, Elias Koteas, Mickey Cottrell, Joe Morton, Jan Tříska, Michael Byrne, James Karen, Joshua Jackson, Heather McComb (more)VOD (2)
Plots(1)
After a brief lesson in history class, star pupil Todd Bowden (Brad Renfro) becomes obsessed with Hitler and his followers. Through extensive research, he discovers that the infamous Kurt Dussender (Sir Ian McKellen) has been hiding out, living a normal life in his own neighborhood. But instead of reporting Dussender to the authorities, Todd decides to use him to gain further knowledge...everything that the history books won't tell him. But who ends up using whom, and what happens when a susceptible young mind encounters true evil, leads to a surprising, taught, and unsettling suspense film. (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (12)
Apt Pupil is one of the most attractive subjects that Stephen King has delved into. However, the study of children's fascination with Nazism and evil in individuals is truly on the edge. King focuses on credibility, using the backdrop of American suburbia as always, methodically following the story of a regular boy turning into a monster over the course of several years. The book takes place in the 70s when it was still possible to find a former Nazi incognito and in good health, any further advancement in the film towards the present is definitely not a plus. I would consider this the first problem of the adaptation. The second problem of the film is shortening the main plot from several years to less than a year because, in the book, the difference in fascination with Nazism before Todd's puberty and during it is understandably described. Primarily, what is missing in the film is the transformation of a bored boy into a boy interested in anything, unfortunately for him, his fascination with the details of the Holocaust becomes fatal. Certainly, it is possible to admire the acting performance of Ian McKellen, and the participation of Jan Tríska in a small role, but we should not be content with the fact that Todd was simply an evil boy at the beginning and remained an evil boy at the end of the film.
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I haven't read the book by Stephen King, but I'm seriously considering it after that near-perfect two hours. An impressively made psychological thriller about a twisted fascination with the Third Reich that eventually escalates into a real crime. The atmosphere is really thick in places (the shower scene) and that Jan Tříska – he's just a cherry on top. 4.5 stars
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Singer is the devil! Sensitive themes (homosexuality, neo/Nazism) seem believable and natural when presented by him, meaning that there are no cheap poses of wannabe profound commentary on the subject matter, but rather an absolutely brilliantly crafted story that grabs you and only lets you go when the closing credits roll. Formally, it's incredibly sophisticated (for example, the staircase to the basement of Dussender's house with its red backlighting looks like a descent into hell) and the acting is riveting. Brad Renfro as the inquisitive teenager is great, but Ian McKellen is a demon who is unmatched far and wide. It all culminates in a great ending that will emotionally wring you to the last drop... and you don't even have to cry during it.
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I paradoxically liked the film more than the book because it simplified the storyline and didn't "overdo it," making both anti-heroes much more civilized and natural in their depravity. Ian McKellen plays his fascist veteran brilliantly, and Brad Renfro is truly an apt pupil... The film maintains a modest line, with (almost) no affected scenes. The mutual probing of both adversaries and accomplices at the same time is a subtle psychological game that culminates in the final scene of complete transformation. Overall impression: 90%.
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A perfect movie, which unfortunately lacks the quality of the novella by Stephen King. Thanks to Singer’s precise directing and the excellent acting in the first part of the movie this doesn’t present a problem, but unfortunately it does in the second part. The atmosphere (the absolute peak of which is the chilling scene with forced marching in the living room) of an unorthodox relationship of a pupil and a teacher is spoiled by the classic thriller plot, which we’ve seen hundred times before and will see many more times again.
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