Shadrach

Rating:
Summary: Just missed being a great movie
Review: Maybe they should have spent just a wee bit more time developing the charachters and less time on the foul language. Without the foul language it was a pleasure to see. Nice story.

Rating:
Summary: Realistic, atmospheric, and great film. It really hits home.
Review: Paul, an only child, loves visiting the Dabney family. The Dabneys have seven children, and they're a much poorer family. During Paul's tenth summer, set in the 1930s, a family member he never even met passes away, and he goes to stay with the Dabneys while his parents go off to the funeral. That's when he meets Shadrach, a 99-year-old black man that was born a slave and was sold off to Alabama, being separated from his family in Virginia. He's been gone all these years. Sensing death in his old bones, he travels back to his native Virginia, wanting to be put to rest where he belongs. Shadrach happens to be a Dabney, just like the white family he came to. Will this family be nice enough to do for him what he wants to be done? What will happen along the way?

"Shadrach" is a heartwarming and extremely realistic film. Being raised in Alabama, I can relate to the underlying plot of the film a lot. One thing that's really shocking is that Paul looks almost just like my little brother, making me kind of watch the movie as if it was through my younger sibling's eyes. Both of those facts along with the great acting by everybody, especially Harvey Keitel, made "Shadrach" really hit home for me in a way. Not to mention that it reminds me of my own childhood, when I was looked at as being middle to upper class, but almost all of my friends were less fortunate, and I never thought a thing about it.

It's a shame that "Shadrach" seems to be relatively unknown. It's just a simple drama movie with elements of a coming of age film, but it's a real good one that will hit home for certain people, maybe in more than one way. All I did was rent it after hearing that it's "a good southern movie." I'm glad I did, because now I look to purchase it one day in the future. As long as the cussing nearly every other word doesn't bother you (it shouldn't; that's just the film trying to be realistic of the times), you'll love "Shadrach".

Rating:
Summary: Touching story
Review: This is a very touching story, sad and uplifting at the same time. It is one of those movies you can watch over and over.

Rating:
Summary: Touching story
Review: This is a very touching story, sad and uplifting at the same time. It is one of those movies you can watch over and over.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent movie
Review: This is one of my favorite movies. I watched this with my 10 year old granddaughter because I thought it exemplified the Good Samaritan of which Jesus taught. Also I don't think strong language defines a person's heart or intentions.
Mississippi John Hurt's 'Farther Along' is magnificent as well as the rest of the soundtrack.


Rating:
Summary: I Loved This Movie!
Review: This is one of the best movies I've ever seen!