Marvin & Tige (1983)

Marvin, a heavy-drinking widower who has seen better days and now ekes out a living at odd jobs, meets Tige, an 11-year-old black boy about to kill himself because his mother has just died.... See full summary »

Director:

Eric Weston

Writers:

Frankcina Glass (novel), Wanda Dell (screenplay),

Stars:

John Cassavetes, Billy Dee Williams, Gibran Brown

Cast

Complete credited cast:
John Cassavetes	...	Marvin Stewart
Billy Dee Williams	...	Richard Davis
Gibran Brown	...	Tige Jackson
Denise Nicholas	...	Vanessa Jackson (as Denise Nicholas-Hill)
Fay Hauser	...	Brenda Davis
Georgia Allen	...	Carrie Carter
Jerry Penson	...	Policeman
Charles Darden	...	TV Salesman
May K. Pearce	...	Nurse
Lou Walker	...	Cab Driver
Rob Harke	...	Driver
Danny Nelson	...	Bartender
Je Nie Fleming	...	Sylvia Davis
Frank Hart	...	Dr. Ross
Tami Dash	...	Shirley Carter

Storyline

Marvin, a heavy-drinking widower who has seen better days and now ekes out a living at odd jobs, meets Tige, an 11-year-old black boy about to kill himself because his mother has just died. With nowhere else to stay, Tige moves in with Marvin and they develop a close (if sometimes stormy) relationship which is good for both of them. Marvin wants to adopt Tige but knows that he is too poor to give him a good home, as becomes painfully clear when Tige catches pneumonia. Then he discovers who Tige's father is: a rich suburbanite who doesn't even know that Tige exists. Should he, and can he, give up the boy he loves, and who loves him, in favor of a stranger with the right genes and bank balance but who doesn't care?

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Plot Keywords:

love | intergenerational friendship | adoption | classism | racism | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Also Known As:

Like Father and Son

Filming Locations:

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Major Productions, Marvin Film Partners

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie's release was delayed due to the prominence of the Atlanta child murder spree in the news at that time. The movie, set in Atlanta and dealing with the relationship between an adult and a child, was deemed too sensitive.

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Connections

Referenced in Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession (2004)

User Reviews

A unique story of a special bond.

This is an ever so sensitive story that shows a very unique bond between an aging lonely person and a homeless child. The care and love that develops between the two proves once again that love is possible from a non biological father towards a child that is not his son. One that raises a child, knows him well, and wins his trust becomes actually a father figure for any child. Tige, the colored little boy was played perfectly by a little child managing to steal the hearts of us all. The moral of this film is that only sincere feelings can create unique bonds. Marvin expressed such sincere feelings towards little Tige. Only by acting in such a manner could he reach this kind of special bond. Marvin's courage and honorable sacrifice must be admired, he gives up the most precious thing in his life and retreats back to his lonely and bleak life. The end of this lovely friendship ends so tragically for Marvin but in a very justified way for Tige. This film is greatly recommended for improving parental qualities and skills.