The Mighty (1998)

Two young boys, both social outcasts in their small town, form an unlikely friendship.

Director:

Peter Chelsom

Writers:

Rodman Philbrick (novel), Charles Leavitt (screenplay)

Stars:

Kieran Culkin, Elden Henson, Sharon Stone

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Harry Dean Stanton	...	Grim
Gena Rowlands	...	Gram
Elden Henson	...	Maxwell Kane
Douglas Bisset	...	Homeless Man
Joe Perrino	...	Blade
Dov Tiefenbach	...	Doghouse Boy #1
Michael Colton	...	Doghouse Boy #2
Daniel Lee	...	Doghouse Boy #3
Eve Crawford	...	Mrs. Donelli
Kieran Culkin	...	Kevin Dillon
Sharon Stone	...	Gwen Dillon
John Bourgeois	...	Mr. Sacker
Bruce Tubbe	...	Officer
Rudy Webb	...	Mr. Hampton
Ron Nigrini	...	Man in Diner

Storyline

This tells the story of a strong friendship between a young boy with Morquio's syndrome and an older boy who is always bullied because of his size. Adapted from the novel, Freak the Mighty, the film explores a building of trust and friendship. Kevin, an intelligent guy helps out Maxwell to improve his reading skills. In return, Kevin wants Maxwell to take him out places since he is not allowed out unauthorized. Being the social outcasts of the town, Kevin and Maxwell come to realize that they are similar to each other and accept that they are "freaks" and nothing will stop them.

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Plot Keywords:

bully | school bully | gang | switchblade | baseball cap | 

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Taglines:

max has gained courage to look more closely n his own family story. he has gained the courage, to see the good and the bad, and the unfortunate ad found his character to be good and worthy.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for elements of violence and peril

Did You Know?

Trivia

British director Peter Chelsom's first American film.

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Goofs

Kevin uses the term "South Cincinnati." There is no South Cincinnati, as Downtown sits as far to the South as the geographical limit of the State allows, abutting the Ohio river. People will say they are from the Northside, or the Westside, or the Eastside, but no one in Cincinnati would ever use the term Southside.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Maxwell Kane: [narrating] It was Freak who told me about King Arthur. How he got this round table, and how he got the bravest knights, and the whole world to sit at that table. You will be brothers, said King Arthur. And you will fight for all those who ask for help. You will be gentle to the weak, but terrible to the wicked. It was Freak who told me about King Arthur. It was Freak who told me everything.

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Connections

References Throw Momma from the Train (1987)

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Soundtracks

Jingle Bells
(1857)
Written by James Pierpont (uncredited)
Arranged by John D'Andrea
Performed by Pat Boone
Courtesy of MCA records
Under license from Universal Music Special Markets

User Reviews

very well made movie about friends-beautiful storytelling

This is a great movie with great actors. I really liked the two friends, especially the tall kid (I'm too lazy to look his name up again)...anyhow...he has done some good work in some very small films (mostly), and he always gets the characters he plays just right. The movie overall is a very touching story, and it's hard not to get teared up every now and then. The cast works really well in all the roles, and all of the acting is very good. I really like the use of music in this movie, it goes a long way in making the story that much better...and it seems to lend a certain mood to the entire film.

It's refreshing to see "feel- good" movies like this, without all the pointless, useless violence and/or sex scenes. It seems to be a movie made for one reason- to entertain and enlighten (to a point)...not for cash, like most movies. It might not have done a huge box office, but it's well worth whatever you spend renting it, or you might stay up late and catch it on one of the premium networks. I would definitely recommend this movie, you won't be sorry.

9/10

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 October 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Freak the Mighty

Filming Locations:

Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$87,705, 11 October 1998

Gross USA:

$2,652,246

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,652,246

Company Credits

Production Co:

Chaos Productions, Jane Startz Productions, Miramax

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1