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The Good Son (1993)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Ian McEwan (written by)
Release Date:
24 September 1993 (USA)
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Tagline:
In a quiet town...In a comfortable home...In a perfect body...Evil can be as close as someone you love. more
Plot:
A young boy stays with his aunt and uncle, and befriends his cousin who's the same age. But his cousin begins showing increasing signs of psychotic behavior. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
1 win
&
2 nominations
more
NewsDesk:
(20 articles)
Orphan: Who’s a good girl, then?
(From t5m.com. 20 November 2009, 6:09 AM, PST)
From the Files of Fangoria: I Guess You Are My Real Stepfather
(From Fangoria. 20 October 2009, 8:42 AM, PDT)
(From t5m.com. 20 November 2009, 6:09 AM, PST)
From the Files of Fangoria: I Guess You Are My Real Stepfather
(From Fangoria. 20 October 2009, 8:42 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Some excellent bits
more (131 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Macaulay Culkin | ... | Henry Evans | |
| Elijah Wood | ... | Mark Evans | |
| Wendy Crewson | ... | Susan Evans | |
| David Morse | ... | Jack | |
| Daniel Hugh Kelly | ... | Wallace Evans | |
| Jacqueline Brookes | ... | Alice Davenport | |
| Quinn Culkin | ... | Connie Evans | |
| Ashley Crow | ... | Janice | |
| Guy Strauss | ... | Arizona Doctor | |
| Keith Brava | ... | Doctor in Blackport | |
| Jerem Goodwin | ... | Factory Worker | |
| Andria Hall | ... | Reporter | |
| Bobby Huber | ... | Axe Man | |
| Mark Stefanich | ... | Ice Man | |
| Susan Hopper | ... | Woman at Rescue |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated R for acts of violence and terror involving a disturbed child.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
87 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Canada:A (Nova Scotia) |
Canada:14A |
Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia) |
Iceland:16 |
USA:R (certificate #32478) |
Philippines:R-18 |
Argentina:16 |
Australia:M |
Canada:13+ (Quebec) |
Canada:AA (Ontario) |
Canada:PG (Manitoba) |
Chile:18 |
Germany:16 |
Ireland:15 |
Norway:15 (theater release) |
Norway:18 |
Peru:18 |
South Korea:15 (DVD rating) |
Spain:18 |
Sweden:15 |
UK:18 |
Singapore:PG
Filming Locations:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Richard (in picture) and Connie are played by Macauley's real life brother and sister.
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Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: Just as Henry pushes his mother over the edge of the cliff, you can see the thin black cable she is hanging from.
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Quotes:
Susan:
We'll get you help, hon.
Henry: You don't look too good, Mom. Looks like you need the help.
Susan: You're going to have to trust me, Henry.
Henry: No... no I can't... you just want to send me away, don't you?
Susan: Why no, no I don't.
Henry: You're going to put me in one of those places...
Susan: Henry...
Henry: I'd much rather die, you hear me? I'd much rather be dead!
more
Henry: You don't look too good, Mom. Looks like you need the help.
Susan: You're going to have to trust me, Henry.
Henry: No... no I can't... you just want to send me away, don't you?
Susan: Why no, no I don't.
Henry: You're going to put me in one of those places...
Susan: Henry...
Henry: I'd much rather die, you hear me? I'd much rather be dead!
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (131 total)
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An interesting idea: parents having to deal with a psychopathic child. Believe it or not, such a situation is not uncommon. And Culkin does an excellent job. His coolness, his sudden changes of approach without any apparent shifting of gears, his complete lack of emotional reaction - which have been interpreted by some reviewers as poor acting - are actually very realistic. Personally, I find his calm and apparently effortless demeanour more frightening than the ravings of the lunatics in many other horror films.
Unfortunately, the plot lacks all credibility. Certainly psychopaths are excellent con-men (in fact, they are the most typical con-men) but it is absurd to believe that a child like this could have covered his tracks so well that his parents do not even suspect that there is something wrong with him. Even more ridiculous is that his behaviour towards his little sister - whom he hates enough to try to kill her - has been so good in the past that she trusts him completely. The cliches of the over-dramatic ending are also a bit much. A pity, because there is much of value in the film.