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Movies / On DVD / A Child is Waiting
A Child is Waiting

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A Child is Waiting (1963)

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90 %
Reviews Counted: 10 Fresh: 9  Rotten:1 Average Rating: 7/10

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Runtime: 1 hr 46 mins

Synopsis: John Cassavetes's second effort as a studio director is an engrossing, sobering exposé of society's cruel prejudice toward children afflicted with mental retardation; the film focuses on an institution for those with Down's syndrome. A young boy, Reuben Widdicombe (Bruce Ritchey),... John Cassavetes's second effort as a studio director is an engrossing, sobering exposé of society's cruel prejudice toward children afflicted with mental retardation; the film focuses on an institution for those with Down's syndrome. A young boy, Reuben Widdicombe (Bruce Ritchey), arrives at the same time as Jean Hansen (Judy Garland), an inexperienced city transplant who has decided that she wants to help children. Immediately Reuben latches on to her, to the dismay of Dr. Matthew Clark (Burt Lancaster), the head of the institution. He feels that Jean's affections for Reuben will disturb the other children, prompting him to separate the pair. Convinced that a reunion with Reuben's parents (Gena Rowlands and Steven Hill) is important for the boy's mental health, Jean confronts them on this issue. Cassavetes stunningly uses actual disabled children to convey the reality of mental retardation, which gives the film a level of humanity and depth that actors could not re-create. He combines this with the performances of professionals--notably Lancaster and G arland--in this unflinching drama that resonates long after the final credits have rolled. [More]

Genre: Dramas

Starring: Burt Lancaster, Judy Garland, Gena Rowlands, Steven Hill, Bruce Ritchey

Director: John Cassavetes
Screenwriter: Abby Mann
Producer: Stanley Kramer
Composer: Ernest Gold

DVD Info

Release:

Jan 4, 1990

[DVD Details]

Reviews

 
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1 - 10 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Flawed but fascinating.

Full Review | comment Comment
06/24/06
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
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N/A

Taken away from Cassavetes by not very nice producer Kramer for some Hollywood-style re-editing, this is nevertheless clearly the work of one of cinema's greatest talents.

Full Review | comment Comment
05/24/03
Channel 4 Film
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N/A

Burt Lancaster delivers a firm, sincere, persuasive and unaffected performance.

Full Review | comment Comment
11/07/07
Variety Staff
Variety
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3/4

This film draws from the social stance of a Stanley Kramer and the institutional approach of a Frederick Wiseman and rises above their judgmental attitudes to produce a wonderfully provocative and sympathetic film.

Full Review | comment Comment
08/30/06
TV Guide's Movie Guide
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B

The film ran into trouble with Cassavetes's attempt to bring his unconventional improvisational style to the shoot.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/06/06
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
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3/5

No review available.

comment Comment
06/19/05
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
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4/5

Garland is moving in rare dramatic role.

comment Comment
06/12/05
Steve Crum
Kansas City Kansan
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4/5

One should learn a great deal from this picture -- all of which should be helpful and give hope.

Full Review | comment Comment
05/10/05
Bosley Crowther
New York Times
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4/5

No review available.

comment Comment
04/30/04
Daniel M. Kimmel
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
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N/A

John Cassavetes takes a shot at straight commercial filmmaking (1963), and the results are a little wide of the mark.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/01/00
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader
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