Flowers for Algernon (TV 2000)

Charlie Gordon is mentally handicapped and all he wants in life is to be a genius. When he gets picked for experimental surgery it looks like his dream may finally come true. But the ... See full summary »

Director:

Jeff Bleckner

Writers:

Daniel Keyes (novel), John Pielmeier (teleplay)

Stars:

Matthew Modine, Kelli Williams, Richard Chevolleau

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matthew Modine	...	Charlie Gordon
Kelli Williams	...	Alice Kinian
Richard Chevolleau
Jeff Pustil
Ken James
Richard Fitzpatrick
Bonnie Bedelia	...	Rose
Ron Rifkin	...	Dr. Jonah Strauss
Cameron Bowen	...	Young Charlie
Gloria Slade	...	Faye
Cliff Saunders	...	Mike
Kathryn Kirkpatrick	...	Bernice
David McFarlane	...	Lester
Ronit Cohen	...	Francine
Philip Kowalik	...	Young Charlie 2

Storyline

Charlie Gordon is mentally handicapped and all he wants in life is to be a genius. When he gets picked for experimental surgery it looks like his dream may finally come true. But the surgery has side effects that could could kill Charlie. Can Charlie survive being just plain old "Charlie Gordon" and will his newfound romance survive this test of character?

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Plot Keywords:

based on novel

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 February 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Charlie

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alliance Atlantis Communications, Citadel Entertainment, Storyline Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Angel: Smile Time (2004)

User Reviews

An uncommonly good TV movie

I must admit, the only reason I taped this movie was to see the spellbinding Kelli Williams, from "The Practice." I had no clue what the movie was about, but I figured she could carry the movie no matter what. Besides, I haven't read the book so I knew my view would not be "tainted" in that sense.

Anyway, I was floored by the performances of both Modine and Williams. Modine's performance was good -- at no point was I convinced he was really retarded, but his transition from retarded to gifted and back again was well done. Williams acts with such sincerity and purity, it's easy for me to forget she's acting. Her performance was so genuine, at the end it actually felt as though she had actually experienced the horrible loss that her character experienced. She faces her loneliness utterly alone; she realizes this, and portrays it to a T.

If you missed this film, I hope someday you will get a chance to see it again. If not, at least read the book. I know I will.