Alicia I love this movie so much

PodBill Just what I expected

Lightdeossk Captivating movie !

CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

SnoopyStyle It's 2053 Madison, Rhode Island. The government's mandate is to make everybody average. The world exists in a 1950s Americana. Harrison Bergeron (Sean Astin) has been held back for 3 years in school because he is too smart. Everybody has an electronic headband dampening their intelligence. He gets paired up with the dim-witted Alma in hopes of having more average children. His doctor directs him to a headhouse of smart women. He is especially taken by chess-playing Phillipa. It's a setup and he is taken to the National Administration Center which is really the power behind the government. He is recruited to join.I can certainly understand what Kurt Vonnegut is driving at with his short story. However, the movie fails to think through those ideas and stretch it out fully. It's also a little smug deciding what is lowly and what is superior. I find some of the leveling devices a little too jokey. I would prefer this premise taken much more seriously and the story much more intense.

TheBlueHairedLawyer Harrison Bergeron is an amazing little 1995 made-for-television film that is underrated and deserves some more respect. I came across it one day and thought it sounded interesting... it was beyond exceptional, especially for a TV movie.Harrison lives in a society where every person is equal... right down to their intelligence, brain functions, ideas and activities. The society, an alternate version of the United States, is styled to look like the 1950's (apparently because everybody appeared happy in the 1950's), although the film takes place in the 21st century. Harrison objects to corrective brain surgery that will reduce his intelligence (basically a lobotomy to shut him up). His doctor recommends he go to an illegal secret club for smart people who have intelligent conversations in secret. He meets Phillipa, a girl talented at playing chess, who, during a police infiltration, has him whisked away with her to a corrupt government of intelligent people who have good intentions but end up creating a bad situation.The acting was amazing, and it was great to see actors Marc Marut, Marilyn Smith and John Friesen from my favorite childhood movie (TV movie Goosebumps Welcome to Dead House) together in a movie again. The story was compelling, similar to Soylent Green (1973) and Parents (1989). The soundtrack was classic nineties TV movie soundtrack. This movie showcases some of the musicians, activists, filmmakers and authors of the 20th century that this fictional society had forgotten or just never been exposed to. It also shows that there can be no equality with the human race but that it's our differences that should make everyone respect and care about each other, equal or not. It's certainly worth watching, I honestly think everybody should view it at least one time.

chavira I'm really very surprised by the thick reviews I have read. Just because the plot of the film and the source material are different does not make the film a gross interpretation of the original work. I believe the film is a terrific, endearing interpretation of the short story. It expounds upon the ideas presented in Vonnegut's piece and puts it in a way which is more accessible to the general population. Just because some people do not understand humour or sarcasm does not mean they should not be exposed to the ideas of a great man. See this film if you have not read the story and if you have, because I guarantee you will enjoy it.

patricw I just saw this last night on the local late night movie. I'm not much of a Sean Astin fan, but in this film, he fits. The basic plot (spoilers ahead) - it's the not too distant future. The United States has had a second revolutionary war due to a major recession and huge unemployment (starting to sound familiar?!). The powers-that-be determine that everyone will be happier if they are all of the same intelligence, own the same things, live the same lives, etc. So, they develop a kind of headset that monitors and controls everyones' brain waves - keeping everyone kind of dumb and happy, although they don't really know why. Astin plays the title character, who turns out to be smarter than everyone else, and no amount of tinkering with his headset will tamp down his intelligence. Through various plot developments, he hooks up with a kind of shadow government, composed of other smart people that determine what the people see, who governs them, etc. At first, Astin seems to enjoy being a part of this group. He develops a relationship with a woman, works in the television programming department, and begins to fit in. Soon, though, he understands the consequences of allowing the so-called "smart people" to govern the "average" (think political correctness, fascism, and other "isms" of today!). A couple of plot twists at the end that give you something to think about; and suddenly what seems like it might be a boring made-for-cable movie turns into a relevant film for the political events of today's America. After seeing this movie, you might actually believe Eugene Levy could play George Bush in a biography! 7.5 out of 10 stars.