Stevecorp Don't listen to the negative reviews

Stellead Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

Taraparain Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

Anoushka Slater While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

deerlove Mr. Bowie's first few attempts at acting were stiff. Absolute Beginners was more like a music video than a dramatic story. Although I own and enjoy Labyrinth, I was hoping to see him in something better than a cartoon character. His bid for the Elf king was not unwelcome in my view, though he was a little old for the part at the time. This film shows his mysterious persona at it's best. He seems to be the person he is playing. I do not want to spoil the story for any "new viewers", so I will not give specific details. The treasure hunt provides intrigue for the viewer and a sorely needed diversion for a desperate child at the end of all hope. The ending satisfies any sentimental person. I would buy this film if I found it on DVD.

kfkdb It shows how a person unbalanced and insecure by illness learns how to trust in himself again and gains a big portion of happiness and stability. Once again David Bowie pictures an obscure character but now for the good: acting as the sick boy's `god father` more or less.

Melm But it wasn't. As an ex brit Canadian, I am continually appalled by the standard of Canadian films. There is just something sooo distinctive about them - you can spot them a mile off - haven't quite figured out what it is - certainly the filming and direction is part of it. David Bowie was great in his too limited role - could have done with more of him and less of the kid's parents - as the parent of 2 canadian teenagers myself I could see no resemblance to real teenagers. The language was stilted, the scene was sort of leave it to beaver with attitude - as if the movie was set 20 years ago. Still, it made me cry - which isn't hard to do and I have seen worse, thus a 6 out of 10

gnoelle What better friend can a dying boy have than a mysterious neighbor who gives him a really cool ring, which he throws away at the first opportunity?This movie had great potential. David Bowie exists only in flashback as an avuncular sage who spouts chestnuts about living and dying, and for all that I wish that his screen time had been longer. Certainly his is the most interesting character in this collection of cliches, and the casting was well done in his case.My main problem with this movie is that it could have been a fantastic story, except it pulls out every cheap sentimental stop along the way. The story could have been told in many ways other than this one, with its collection of children that are either dying or obnoxious or both, but I suppose that it's just not as interesting or story-worthy when an adult is terminally ill. Why couldn't any other member of the community that supposedly loved and mourned Mr. Rice have been the recipient of his secret? The treasure hunt itself is a good device, and one of the best parts of the movie, as are Owen's troubling nightmares and images of death. I would like to have seen more of this. I would like to have learned more about Mr. Rice's life...and death. Instead, we're left with frustrating glimpses of an interesting character, and no real clue why he chose this boy as his best friend. This is a movie that tries too hard to be too many things (in some places too strongly reminiscent of "Stand By Me"), and in the end really leads the viewer nowhere we haven't been before.