Report Abuse

“This was originally meant to be directed by Stanley...”

written by Amazon Customer. on 23/01/2002

This was originally meant to be directed by Stanley Kubrick who had wanted to shoot this story of an android boy built for childless couples who is abandoned by his mother when her real son, who has been in a coma, comes back to the family fold after a miracle recovery. Kubrick was waiting for special effects technology to catch up with his ideas. Unfortunately the great director died shortly after finishing work on Eyes Wide Shut and so the directing duties were taken up by Steven Spielberg after an invite from Kubricks family. And here is where the problem lies, with this dark and troubling tale being given the E.T touch of sugar sweet sentimentality. I thought the director of Schindlers List and Saving Private Ryan had finally matured from the candy coated offerings he gave us from the 1980's. There are some classic moments, for instance, the flesh fair which is particulary grotesque and the moon shaped balloon that is used to capture androids. The performance by Hayley Joel Osmont as the boy David is outstanding, and Jude Law adds good support as Gigolo Joe, a pleasure model android. Towards the end your thinking maybe Mr Spielberg has pulled this off, until you get to the last 20 minutes, then your expecting E.T to pop out and say "Has anyone seen Elliot guys", such is the need for the director to make us feel good. The last film I want to associate with Kubrick will not be this sad tribute