7.9/10
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Bill Sackter, a intellectually disabled man, ventures out into the world for the first time, having spent most of his life in a dreary inner city institution. He is taken in by a kind ... See full summary »

Director:

Anthony Page

Writers:

Barry Morrow (story), Corey Blechman (teleplay)
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Won 2 Golden Globes. Another 3 wins & 1 nomination. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mickey Rooney ... Bill Sackter
Dennis Quaid ... Barry Morrow
Largo Woodruff ... Beverly Morrow
Anna Maria Horsford ... Ms. Marge Keating
Harry Goz Harry Goz ... Dr. Tom Walz
Kathleen Maguire ... Mrs. Florence Archer
William J. Daprato William J. Daprato ... Ray
Raymond Serra Raymond Serra ... Harry (as Ray Serra)
Jenny Rebecca Dweir Jenny Rebecca Dweir ... Amy Hill (as Jenny Dweir)
Breon Gorman Breon Gorman ... Children's Teacher
George Hamlin George Hamlin ... Mr. Robert Morrow
Katharine Balfour Katharine Balfour ... Mrs. Morrow (as Katherine Balfour)
Cordis Heard ... Arlene
Harriet Rogers Harriet Rogers ... Mae
Lotte Palfi Andor Lotte Palfi Andor ... Ida Miller (as Lotta Palfi-Andor)
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Storyline

Bill Sackter, a intellectually disabled man, ventures out into the world for the first time, having spent most of his life in a dreary inner city institution. He is taken in by a kind family and learns for the first time in his life what it means to love. Written by <Hunk@prodigy.net>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

A heartwarming true story.

Genres:

Biography | Drama

Certificate:

See all certifications »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Mickey Rooney won a Lifetime Achievement Oscar two years after this movie. He cited his Tony nominated performance in "Sugar Babies" and Emmy winning role as "Bill", as part of his comeback. See more »

Goofs

When Dennis Quaid and Largo Woodruff's characters Barry and Bev are toasting their pregnancy with champagne, Barry pours clear, golden-colored champagne into two tall water glasses. But when they drink, the champagne is now magically white milk. See more »

Quotes

Ms. Marge Keating: Films end, Mr Morrow, and so do friendships.
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Connections

References I Dream of Jeannie (1965) See more »

Soundtracks

Poor Fool
Music by William Kraft
Lyrics by William Humecke
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User Reviews

 
A Tour de Force for Mickey
30 January 2006 | by bobbobwhiteSee all my reviews

Absolutely the best of all films ever made about mental retardation, even better than the great Charly. A simple but touching story of a challenged man trying to get through life on his own, with all the childlike fun and laughter, all the love to and from accepting friends, and all the immense frustration of just trying to get by from day to day with a deck always stacked against him. Bill was not a fairy tale film like Forrest Gump was, or a distortion of the real truth about autistic sufferers as was Rain Man, but a realistic story about a lovable little man with a tough disorder but lots of guts that had me laughing and crying in about equal doses but caring deeply all the way. What more can we want from any entertainment? See this film to laugh and to cry and ultimately to revel in the achievements of man not cowed or even slowed by misfortune.

Has there even been a multi-tasking Hollywood talent to equal Mickey Rooney's? Surely not, and he has many times over the years been judged by his peers to be the most talented pro in Hollywood. I heartily agree. He is a very old man now and will be gone soon, so try to appreciate some of his great work before that time comes. Start with Bill and get ready to be fascinated.


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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 December 1981 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

A mi aire See more »

Company Credits

Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1
See full technical specs »

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