Misunderstood *** (1984, Gene Hackman, Henry Thomas, Rip Torn, Huckleberry Fox) – Classic Movie Review 10,053

Director Jerry Schatzberg’s 1984 drama Misunderstood features outstanding performances from Gene Hackman and little Henry Thomas (the boy from ET: The Extra-Terrestrial), as Ned Rawley and Andrew, a busy father and his son desperate for love after the mother’s death.

It is the performances of Hackman and Thomas that distinguish this sensitive and thoughtful family drama. Directed by Schatzberg in Tunisia, this American, Italian and Tunisian co-production is low key and tasteful but very worthwhile. Rip Torn adds his usual oomph as Hackman’s brother Will.

Barra Grant’s screenplay is based on Florence Montgomery’s turn-of-the-century novel, filmed in Italy in 1966 as Incompreso with Anthony Quayle.

Also in the cast are Maureen Kerwin, Susan Anspach, June Brown, Helen Ryan and Nadim Sawalha.

Misunderstood is directed by Jerry Schatzberg, runs 91 minutes, is made by ACCENT Films, Producers Sales Organization (PSO) and Vides Cinematografica, is released by MGM/UA Entertainment Company (1984) (US), is written by Barra Grant, is shot in colour by Pasqualino De Santis, is produced by Keith Barish (executive producer), Craig Baumgarten (executive producer) and Tarak Ben Ammar, is scored by Michael Hoppe, and designed by Joel Schiller.

It was filmed in the summer of 1982 but not released until 30 March 1984. The video from Odyssey came out in 1985.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,053

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