Accepted on its own terms, without all the excess baggage inherent in comparing this film to the famous children's book on which it is based, or the recent all-star Hollywood adaptation, this is in fact a beautifully produced low-budget independent film fable. I have not read the original book, nor does that even matter, as any film should stand on its own merit. For a cast of non-professional actors, virtually all the performances are capable here, with the director's father Fred Keller notable as the Tuck family patriarch. The story is naturally compelling, and I appreciated the director's visual sense, focusing a great deal on the faces of the characters in order to foster a sense of intimacy with the audience. The folk instrumental soundtrack adds additional authenticity. It is obvious that the filmmakers of this now-forgotten film put their heart into the production.
Review of Tuck Everlasting
