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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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Reviews Counted:10

Fresh:9

Rotten:1

Average Rating:7/10

Runtime: 1 hr 46 mins

Genre: Dramas

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... 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]

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

Starring: Burt Lancaster, Judy Garland, Gena Rowlands, Steven Hill, Bruce Ritchey, Paul Stewart, Lawrence Tierney, Elizabeth Wilson, Barbara Pepper

Director: John Cassavetes

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

[See More Credits]

Reviews for A Child is Waiting

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

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Geoff Andrew
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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 Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
05/24/03
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
11/07/07
Variety Staff
Variety Staff
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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 Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
08/30/06
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
07/06/06
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

No review available.

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

Garland is moving in rare dramatic role.

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

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

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
05/10/05
Bosley Crowther
Bosley Crowther
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

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

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

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
01/01/00
Dave Kehr
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader
 
 
1 - 10 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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