The Last Brickmaker in America (2001) (TV)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Gregg Champion

Writer (WGA):

Richard Leder (written by)

Release Date:

23 September 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A man must cope with the loss of his wife and the obsolescence of his job before finding redemption by becoming a role model to an equally lost 13-year-old. |

Plot Keywords:

Friendship | Brick Making

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Sidney Poitier	...	Henry Cobb
Piper Laurie	...	Ruth Anne
Jay O. Sanders	...	Mike
Wendy Crewson	...	Karen
Mert Hatfield	...	Bank Chairman Charlie Redden
Cody Newton	...	Danny Potter
Rebecca Koon	...	Ms. Abbott
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Julian Adams	...	Flower Shop Patron
Mary Alice	...	Dorothy Cobb
Bernie Casey	...	Lewis
Sharon Davis	...	School Administrator
Duke Ernsberger	...	Principal Robert Keenan
Dennis Gomez	...	Construction worker
Fred Griffith	...	Teacher
Terry Loughlin	...	Dr. Hayward
Terry Norman	...	Ms. Walters
Tom Nowicki	...	Carl Douglass
Bill Roberson	...	Mr. Quinn
Michael Siu	...	Towns kid

Runtime:

85 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Netherlands:AL | Australia:PG | Germany:o.Al. | UK:U

Company:

Nasser Entertainment

Quotes:

[After surveying some graffiti on the walls of the Washington Public School.]
Henry Cobb: I can't understand why a boy as smart and thoughtful as you would do such a thing.
Danny Potter: I was mad.
Henry Cobb: At the school?
Danny Potter: At my parents.
Henry Cobb: Then why didn't you spray paint them?

I Feel Bad for Sidney Poitier

Poitier managed to get involved in two predictable piles of TV-movie mush within two years (1999's The Simple Life... and this). I remember watching this over a year ago on TV. The movie continues Poitier's career doldrums. He contributes a good performance, but writing and the overall horrible movie overshadow whatever attempts he makes.

Poitier plays Henry Cobb, a man who makes bricks the old fashioned way to make a living. He has a recently lost his wife and is depressed about how his career is becoming obsolete. Then he meets a young boy who works for him over the summer to meet a deadline for bricks. And the usual "bonding... wise old guy teaches kid stuff" plot continues on and on.

The rest of the cast isn't memorable, and don't contribute anything to rise the movie above below average / marginal. The writing was hurried and the dialogue is unrealistic for the most part. Poitier is a great actor, but, his talents are wasted.

I watched it once a while back, and will never watch it again. I wish Hollywood would give Poitier a roll in a movie that gets released to theatres where he can actually shine and show his full ability.

Unless you like sappy family oriented TV-movie of the week's like this ... or, you are a fan of Sidney; avoid this like the plague.

Rating: 3/10