The Boy Who Could Fly Reviews

• "Eric, Can You Really Fly?"

  
  By A141HP4LYPWMSR on 2006-03-27
  Mrs. Michaelson (Bonnie Bedelia) and her two children Milly (Lucy Deakins) and Louis (Fred Savage) have just moved into a new neighborhood following the recent death of their husband/Father. They hope to begin a new life and make new friends as the try to deal with the grief of their loss.
  
  While trying to deal with her own personal grief, Milly finds an unexpected friend in Eric (Jay Underwood) the strange boy next store who never speaks and stands on the roof of his house with arms spread as though he were an airplane getting ready to take flight.
  
  After a little investigation she discovers that Eric lost both parents in a plane crash and hasn't spoken or communicated with anyone since. Milly decides to break through the wall he has built around himself and lead him back to wholeness. As you might have guessed by now feelings other than just friendship soon develop between the two disinfranchised teenagers.
  
  'The Boy Who Could' is an absolutely wonderful tale of hope, belief and the healing power of love. Lucy Deakins is one of the most charming and beautiful young women I've ever seen on film and was absolutely perfect for this role. The entire cast is excellent as well, especially Fred Savage as the little brother.
  
  Truly one of the four or five greatest family movies ever made!
  
  

• They don't make 'em like this anymore.

  
  By A319SKSB556033 on 2003-07-29
  I'm so tired of modern family movies full of fart jokes or movies where teenagers make love to pastries and it's supposed to be funny and then they staple on some superficial message at the end in an attempt to be poignant and balance out all the trash that came before. Every other week we are tortured with some nonsense of this calibre and whenever I wish for a movie that stands out from the crowd I have to go back in time and consider some overlooked gem. The Boy Who Could Fly is exactly that.

  The characters seem so real and their emotions genuine, it builds at a slow pace but it never gets boring and story development is consistent. This is not a ferociously loud summer crowd-pleaser or something bloated with pointless SFX. Very few movies have the power to make a whole story out of characters and situation alone without feeling the need for some ridiculous set piece or blaring thrash metal guitars.

  In fact Bruce Broughton's score is the wonderful opposite of that. The performances, especially the two leads, are flawless and the direction is far more refined than the typical. Everything in this movie comes together perfectly to make a film so unique and charming. If you have lost your faith in the current dreck that graces our screens and if you want a family movie with some meaning and subtext then check this out. And keep an eye out for director John Carpenter as on of the Coupe De Villes.

  The DVD is in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen and in Dolby 2.0. It has an introduction by Jay Underwood and director Nick (Michael Myers) Castle, they also feature in a commentary with Lucy Deakins and Fred Savage.
  
  

• Simply Magical

  
  By A3DSQOGAPLIBMG on 2000-02-08
  I first saw this movie on cable about twelve years ago, and I liked it immensely. But I'd have to say I absolutely loved it when I saw it on the Disney Channel a couple of days ago. Shot for virtually nothing and lacking the usual smarmy high school lowlifes, not only is it a heartwarming, inspiring, and gentle film, it also showcases the fine acting skills and engaging qualities of two actors who--at the time of the film's release--were literally on the edge of stardom. But neither Lucy Deakins nor Jay Underwood have been able to "break through" in Hollywood yet, even though they deserve it.

  The always loveable Lucy Deakins, in particular, seems to be in absentia, last appearing in the Disney film Cheetah in 1989 (a film I want to see but can't, because Disney doesn't sell it anymore, in all likelihood because it's not cost-effective). You may remember that Underwood played a young Sonny Bono in the ABC-TV Movie of the Week Sonny & Cher about a year ago.

  Nevertheless, Deakins absolutely shines here as a teenage girl whose cancer-laden father has recently committed suicide so his wife and kids would not see him die so miserably. Her Mom and little brother (played well by Bonnie Bedelia and a young Fred Savage) move to a new neighborhood, where she ultimately meets a boy (Underwood, who pulls off a remarkable performance) who has shut himself off from society after his parents died in a plane crash and is forced to live with his likeable but irresponsible alcoholic uncle (played by Fred Gwynne, his wonderful swan song). I have read a number of reviews and synopses that describe the Underwood character as autistic, but unless I am mistaken, I do not believe the film ever refers to him as such.

  The film chronicles Deakins and Underwood's characters' budding friendship, and then romance, when Underwood finally opens up to her in a last-ditch effort to prove his love and humanity. The ending, of course, also involves some aviation.

  Fred Gwynne and Colleen Dewhurst, who are unfortunately not with us now, give exceptional performances, and Louise Fletcher (who played the evil nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest) is quite good, playing a psychiatrist who is Deakins character's modern-day guardian angel. The attractive and zesty Mindy Cohn (of Facts of Life fame) is also fun as Deakins' friend.

  Also check out Deakins' wardrobe. If you, like me, grew up in the 1980s, you're bound to recall your sister's purple jeans and pink sweaters with snowflakes!

  Gentle and Moving.
  
  

• A modern Peter Pan story

  
  By A2R4XG0L7Z01V8 on 2003-08-05
  This film was absolutely fantastic! It reminded me of one of those TV movies or a true-life film, which my mum watches constantly, and they don't normally appeal to me. It was a bit slow to start with, and I really didn't think it was going to enjoy it. After watching the trailer, which didn't impress me, I didn't think it would be any good, but the turning point for me would be when Eric smiles for the first time.

  Jay Underwood played the part brilliantly and you could almost feel that he enjoyed playing the role of Eric. He was lucky not to have a script with loads of lines to learn! Although he never quite managed to say "Millie" (of course not, she gave him the wrong mouth shapes), he managed to poignantly say that he loved Millie, before he flew away, and never returned. I wanted to know what happened to him! Where's the sequel?

  Lucy Deakins annoyed me throughout the whole film, as I know her from somewhere. She looks so familiar, but I didn't recognise any of the films she'd appeared in listed in the extras. She also reminds me very much of a young Heather Graham, especially on the front cover, and at certain points throughout the film. I don't know whether it's the blue eyes, or the airbrushed clear skin. She just did.

  Bonnie Bedelia played the mother, and although she doesn't appear very much in the film, I recognised her too. She probably stars in a lot of the TV movies that my mum watches.

  The one character who made me want to throw something at the TV, was the actress who played Geneva. Talk about annoying! Her voice totally grated. Thankfully, she didn't have a very big starring role, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to watch it.

  If you're a fan of `Anne Of Green Gables' (I know I am, considering we've just bought all 3 DVDs), look out for Colleen Dewhurst. She played Marilla Cuthbert in `Anne', and plays Mrs Sherman in this film, one of the teachers.

  Also, if you're a fan of `One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest', then look out for a small role, of the psychiatrist who comes to see Millie after her fall from the bridge. None other than Nurse Ratchett, played by Louise Fletcher!

  This film is a must-see. But get some tissues.
  
  

• I Believe I Can Fly

  
  By AMF5LHI9IOIH1 on 2006-02-10
  Ahhh, "The Boy Who Could Fly." This is a film that I grew up with and still share with my family today. This is a true inspirational film that is for all ages and families across the miles and sends a wonderful message to those who have been through pain, been down on their luck, or just simply want to believe in something positive. This message is brought forth through an unlikely pair who with their friendship and love, literally learn to fly.
  
  Millie Michaelson (played by the lovely Lucy Deakins) is a shy 14 year-old who, along with her mother (played by the talented Bonnie Bedelia) and kid brother Louis, (played by a very young Fred Savage) is struggling to come to grips with the tragic death of her father. They are the new family on the block, at work and at school as they try to rebuild their lives after moving into a new home. They all struggle with the normal hassles of life. Louis, who tries to act tough and wants to be a soldier like the G.I. Joe's he plays with, faces neighborhood bullies who won't let him get around the block and keeps getting in trouble at school. Millie, who becomes friends with Geneva (played by the hilarious Mindy Cohn), goes through the coming-of-age rituals of adjusting to a new school and the popular girls and the temptations of alcohol. Mrs. Michaelson struggles with learning how to use a computer in the insurance business (and keep in mind, this movie was made in 1986 when computers were still relatively new).
  
  But from the moment Millie first sets foot in her new home, she finds out that they have not moved into any ordinary neighborhood. The strange boy next door instantly intrigues Millie. Eric Gibb (a magnificent performance from Jay Underwood) lives with his lazy, alcoholic uncle (played by the convincing and entertaining Fred Gwynne) and does not speak nor does he show emotion. But one thing he does do is sit on the windowsill and pretend to fly. Nobody can seem to get through to him and nobody can really understand him accept that he may be autistic. But Millie learns that Eric's own deep dark tragedy concerning his parents is likely reflected in his obsession with flying.
  
  Eric is in Millie's class at school, taught by Ms. Sherman (played by the late, extraordinary Colleen Dewhurst). Sherman, who has been helping Eric for quite a while, notices a connection between he and Millie. She sees Eric doing things around Millie that no doctor could do with him. Millie agrees to help Ms. Sherman by spending time with Eric in an effort to break him of his emotional disturbances and keep him out of the mental institution and the workers there who have been after him. Millie reads to Eric, plays with him in gym class, has lunch with him everyday at school, makes paper airplanes with him and he even comes home with Millie for dinner with her family.
  
  As Millie and Eric get closer, Millie seems to find the true Eric hiding behind his emotion-less face. The two develop a very special relationship. All the while, dramatic things happen, which test their love and friendship for one another, from Millie's concussion during a fall, to Eric's run-in with the institution, to the chase they have with the institution workers, to the dramatic climax on the roof. But the hardest test of all comes after their flight, however from that day forward, things start taking a better turn for Millie and her family and even Eric's uncle.
  
  But in the long run, Millie and her family realize that Eric was perhaps a symbol of what we can all do if we try, wish and love enough. When we feel like life is too much we can remember Eric Gibb and how he could teach us all to fly. I think Millie taught Eric to really fly in more ways than one. Millie was there for Eric during a time of need and she lifted him out from under his shell if you will. In turn, Eric taught Millie to fly with his inspiration to wish, dream and love. And look what came of it? Millie learned that anything is possible if we wish, dream and love enough. Louise Fletcher made a brief appearance as a psychiatrist, Dr. Grinada who talked with Millie after she had gotten a concussion. She told Millie: "Sometimes you have to believe in a little magic, especially when there's so much pain." And rightfully so. Both Millie and Eric have dealt with tremendous pain in their lives, but with each other, they both learned to fly together.
  
  This movie is absolutely superb for the family. It sends such a positive message to those who may feel discouraged in life. But it is also inspiring to those who do not get discouraged easily. It's just a nice, feel-good story; a true heartfelt drama with plenty of real emotion, and even action. The cast is outstanding. All do a tremendous job. Lucy Deakins and Bonnie Bedelia are excellent at portraying deep emotion from tears to anger. Jay Underwood does a superb job of playing the emotionally disturbed Eric Gibb. He is so believable. He can go from having no emotion to just the right amount of it at the right time. Jay is indeed a very versatile actor who can touch on all the human emotions effectively. Then there's little Fred Savage, who actually adds comic relief to the film with his macho attitude. Mindy Cohn is awesome as Geneva. She may play a small part, but she's such a kick. The music of the film is beautiful and they even throw in some special effects complete with fireworks, as you'll see in Millie's dream sequence. The special features are a real treat, with a really cool theatrical trailer, and introduction featuring Jay Underwood and a commentary with Underwood, Lucy Deakins, Fred Savage and director Nick Castle. Together, they are quite an entertaining bunch who sound like they're decent ordinary people have a great time talking with one another and the audience about their personal experiences with the film and various other stories.
  
  When I was a little kid. I loved this movie because all I knew was that it was about a flying boy that was strange. Well, it goes much deeper than that!
  
  
  
• Wonderful Movie
  By on 1999-08-03
  This movie is not for you if you like movies to be utterly realistic, but if you can stretch your imagination a little and step into the world of fantasy for a few minutes, this is a wonderful movie with fine actors. The young Fred Savage shines in a few sub-plot scenes involving some neighborhood bullies. The ending is bittersweet and poignant, and even if it's a bit sappy, it will still pull at your heartstrings. There is just enough humor and hopefulness to make this movie ultimately entertaining and uplifting. Perfect to see on a Friday night with the family.
  
  
• Gently-crafted, elegant, and powerful film
  By on 1999-09-07
  Few films could touch this either in the obvious tender care with which it was made, the tightness of its story, its depth and symbolism, or the power of its performances. It is shameful the film never found a wider audience, but if anybody out there really reads these reviews and really wants a satisfying film that bears repeated viewing, one could not do better than this. My hat remains off, 13 years after its release, to writer-director Nick Castle. This is a perfect work of cinema: one of the best U.S. films of the 1980s. Open-minded viewers, fans of the medium and of literature, will never quite get over this tidy, invigorating gem.
  
  
• A juvenile that will deeply touch adults
  By AHUT55E980RDR on 2002-08-09
  First, this is one of the greatest arrays of juvenile acting talent I've seen. Jay Underwood leads the group in a poignant portrayal, ably supported by Lucy Deakins...there is chemistry between the two.

  Fred Savage adds just the right comic element, to soften the darker aspect of the movie.

  And then, there's the fantasy element. At first, I was disturbed by the sheer fantasy that isn't revealed until the climax of the film. It just seemed as to realistic a film to have such an ending. And yet, I found it somehow refreshing, and yet it's the fantasy which in spite of the title, just didn't come off for me, and that's the only reason for my not feeling that it deserves five stars.

  All in all, though, this is a movie to watch and to enjoy. There's just enough real life sense of tragedy in the young people's background here to keep it from being overly sweet.
  
  

• To Affinity and Beyond by garrie keyman
  By A2UDO7YHFWFGX7 on 2004-03-14
  As a rule, where cinema is concerned, I find what's bad rarely gets better, while what's good rarely gets worse. The 1999 Warner Bros. release of The Boy Who Could Fly remains true to the formula, this Nick Castle (The Last Starfighter; Dennis the Menace) family film as poignant and as delicately powerful today as it was upon its original 1986 theatrical debut.

  While this well-balanced and sensitively penned feature was both written and directed by Castle, the movie's five-star rating owes a great deal of its appeal to two of the best (then-)teenage actors I've ever had the pleasure to watch. As the 14-year old Millie Michaelson, Lucy Deakins offers a superbly layered performance depicting a girl shadowed by the loss of her father to cancer and her family's subsequent move to a new home and neighborhood. As Millie's mother (aptly portrayed by Bonnie Bedelia) struggles to cope with a husband's death and the stress of re-entering the workforce, Millie faces a loneliness sharply deepened by the rejection of her catty new classmates and the necessity of picking up an understandable parental slack.

  One of Millie's new neighbors is the curiously mute Eric (Jay Underwood), a lad steeped in a private world that no one is able to penetrate. Eric has lived with his softhearted amiable alcoholic uncle (Fred Gwynne) since the age of five, when Eric's parents perished in a plane crash. Since then, Eric has not spoken; his primary pastime consisting of perching in his bedroom window and staring skyward with his arms extended as if he were, himself, a plane. Underwood proves so convincing as Eric that not only can the audience easily forget he is not genuinely autistic, but they are gently transported into his world so faithfully that Eric's conduct makes absolute sense.

  At school Millie is paired with Eric in gym class, where her efforts at tossing a ball to the unresponsive boy - a teen normally scorned and ignored by his peers - begins to crack his seemingly impenetrable shell. Later, on a class trip, Millie imagines falling from a bridge while straining for a blossom just beyond reach. Like so many moments in this film, it is a beautiful piece of cinemagraphic artistry: a gorgeous visual depiction replete with sub-textual meaning. Hitting her head on the bridge rail, Millie is knocked unconscious and awakens in the hospital. She is no longer certain that her fall - and her subsequent rescue by Eric -- was a matter of sheer imagination, for after the doctors have departed, there stands Eric: lurking mutely by the billowing curtains just inside what appears to be a sixth-story window.

  Soon Eric's budding emergence is threatened; the pall of institutionalization further crippling his psyche when his uncle's drinking calls into question the man's fitness as Eric's guardian. Meanwhile, Millie's martial-minded younger brother, Louis (Fred Savage), is having troubles of his own: from facing territorial bullies, who won't let him circle the block, to recovering toy soldiers for whom he has been conducting backyard funerals as a private coping device following his father's death.

  At every turn this film proves both tender and realistic on the level of human hurts and the every-day variety of inner struggles that people encounter. The characters herein cope with pains so ordinary - so common to us all - that clearly these are the truest killing fields of the human heart. These are our silent battles, too: the loneliness of social rejection, the inexorable way life pulls us on following the loss of loved ones, the fight for the right to fearlessly navigate our world - be it the block on which we live or the planet at large.

  As the movie moves toward its climax, we have become convinced that the title is allegory: that this is, in fact, a movie about a boy who wished he could fly. This carefully orchestrated fooled-you structure of the script is partly what makes the movie soar. Sparing use of special effects does not detract, but heightens - making The Boy Who Could Fly one of the most down-to-earth flights of fantasy ever brought to the screen.

  This fit-for-the-family fare is polished to a fine sheen by strong supporting-cast portrayals, including Colleen Dewhurst (Anne of Green Gables) as the teacher who first pairs Millie and Eric in gym class, and Mindy Cohn (Facts of Life) as a bold, talkative neighbor who befriends Millie. While Underwood appears to have gone on to enjoy a long list of small-role and guest-shot appearances, it remains our loss, I'm sure, that there have not been more leading parts to this likeable actor's credit. Likewise, Deakins appears to be lower on the leading-player radar screen than she deserves, although I did have the pleasure of seeing her off-Broadway last year in The Women's Project production of Julie Jensen's Cheat.

  In any event, The Boy Who Could Fly, is an uplifting tale ranking among the few movies I can watch again and again. A keeper, this film is winningly underscored by Bruce Broughton's perfect-companion soundtrack. But be forewarned: settle in with a tissue or two before you pass the popcorn.
  
  

• A Special Movie From The Heart
  By A3RYIN4KHLR3Y1 on 2004-08-15
  This movie has been a favorite of mine since I was about in middle school. It touches on the imagination and also the real world. It's about a family coming to grips from losing their father and a wife dealing with losing her husband and starting a new life in a new town. Milly meets their neighbor Eric Gibb who is Autistic (a subject that was touched really before any one else had and that isn't really even talked about or shown in movies sadly). She tries to open him up and she ends up finding a special friendship with in him not only that helps Eric, but helps her own family come closer together. Directed by Nick Castle this movie has an amazing cast: Milly: Lucy Deakins, Eric Gibb: Jay Underwood, Bonnie Bedelia: Charlene Michaelson, Fred Savage (in his first movie): Louis Michaelson, the amazing Colleen Dewhurst: Mrs. Sherman, Fred Gwynne: Uncle Hugo, Mindy Cohn (Facts of Life fame): Geneva ... also interestingly enough you may pick out Louise Fletcher (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest) as a kind nurse, & a very young Jason Priestly. The DVD extra's are awesome I personally love the commentary of Lucy, Jay, Fred, and Nick Castle. This movie is really a family movie and is very touching. Some may not understand the film as a whole, but you have to watch it with a kind heart and an imagination to really fully understand it emotionally. There's a lot of fun moments in the film as well to mix in with the emotional drama. Again it's for the whole family to enjoy and has always been a favorite young adult movie for me.
  
  
• One of my favorites of the 80's
  By A32718SFQ7EJDY on 2000-06-29
  The Boy Who Could Fly is a lovely family film with dark overtones that for the most part keep it from becoming too sappy. I love coming back now and then to this film to watch it, even though I find the ending to be a bit too literally fantastic when everything leading up to that has been in a more realistic or dream-like vein. The cast is excellent, and like everyone else I love Lucy Deakins and want to see her back in films...what a natural, heartfelt performance. Jay Underwood is also heartbreaking. Little Fred Savage is wonderful; I love the scene where he runs out in the rain to dig up his buried toy soldiers--it reminds me of the scene in Meet Me in St. Louis when Margaret O'Brien knocks over her snowpeople.

  I'd like to make a special mention of Bruce Broughton's lovely music score, one of the best of the decade.
  
  

• Blooper wrecked it!
  By on 2000-07-31
  This whole movie was ruined for me due to one very major blooper. Eric is NOT autistic! My brother has autism, and this movie gives out an untruthful message about this disability.

  My parents, younger sister, and I watched it, hoping to see a good film about autism, but we were disappointed and angered that the producers of the film did not know any better.

  If you are interested in seeing a movie actually about autism, watch Rain Man (Raymond is autistic), or What's Eating Gilbert Grape (Arnie, in this case).

  Don't waste your time with this film. If the screenwriter did not do his or her research to the extent of realizing the mistake, the research was not done well at all.
  
  

• Remember when this was the standard for kid's films?
  By ALP5YTSQO6VMD on 2004-04-01
  "The Boy Who Could Fly" is such a rarity in the genre. This is not so much a kid's movie, as it is a full-blooded drama that happens to have kids as characters. It tells the story of a family, suffering the loss of their father/husband. The decline in income requires them to move into a "fixer upper" home in a quiet residential neighborhood. The eldest child, Millie (beautifully played by Lucy Deakins) becomes fascinated with the teenage autistic boy next door, Eric (Jay Underwood) who sits in his window all day and pretends to fly. Through circumstances at school, Millie takes him on as a "project." As her kindly teacher(Colleen Dewhurst) points out, "Doctors haven't been able to get a word out of him. Maybe a friend could." She tries to draw him out of his condition through every day activities, and over time, the form a very close connection, and even fall in love. Meanwhile, Millie must deal with the burdens of home, trying to reconcile the suicide of her father, and her very stressed out and grief-stricken mother(the wonderful Bonnie Bedelia), who is trying to get back into the work force.
  While there is certainly more to the story than this, it would be a shame to spoil details for those who have not seen this film. It is uncommonly intelligent, charming, and very moving. It speaks in the language of children, without ever becoming condescending or silly, even when the film's more fantastic elements are revealed. The story and its characters feel real. Their grief feels real. Their longing to believe in happy endings feels real.
  The performances are outstanding. Lucy Deakins and Jay Underwood are entirely convincing. It's so rare to see a teenage girl portrayed with this kind of uncynical intelligence. Underwood's Eric barely has any lines in the film, but instead, like a young Harrison Ford, communicates so much in his face that we hardly notice. This is a teen romance for the ages.
  The adult players are also fine. Bonnie Bedelia, one of the most convincing actors or our era, plays Charlene as tough yet fragile, nurturing but flawed. The late Colleen Dewhurst is lovely and compassionate as Mrs. Sherman.
  Surprisingly the film has been written and directed by Nick Castle, known for such disappointments as "Mr. Wrong" and "The Last Starfighter." He is better known as being the 1st actor to play Michael Myers in the original "Halloween." This is his best film by far. He should try to make more films along these lines. We sure need them.
  I hope people will show this film to their kids some day. It is a reminder that films about kids used to be intelligent and authentic, not lobotomized, as I feel they have become over the past 15 years. This film still gives me hope, and gives me the excuse to dream.
  
  
• The worst movie of all time!
  By on 2000-03-18
  I saw this movie when I was little and I didn't like it. It was the most boring movie I have ever saw. The acting is terrible and it was one of the worst movies I have ever seen in the 80's.
  
  
• A great family film...
  By on 1999-02-26
  This is a sweet movie that people of all ages will enjoy. It does move a little slow, but the pace is comfortable. Fred Savage is great as Millie's little brother.
  
  
• This FIlm Was Extremely Enchanting
  By A2W00XKTTF1G0Z on 2002-06-28
  The Boy Who Could Fly was the most interesting movie to me when I saw it in its original release. I thought it was creative and inventive and it went on the premise that what you believe in - can be real.

  It's completely fiction and almost science fiction but it works. Jay Underwood plays a boy orphaned because of plane accident. He becomes a recluse and a mute. Then his new neighbor a young girl who is also his age befriends him.

  Convinced she can help him she makes an effort to communicate with him. He is a social misfit, however, he has one gift and talent that he keeps hidden well - he can fly.

  A great premise and some good special wire effects (perfected because of the Superman films) the film is very simple but it has a sweet and warm chocolaty center. Bruce Broughton did a wonderful score for the film.

  Special note: If you go to see a movie at the Hollywood's El Capitan - it is the score from this film that you hear as they open the curtains to view each movie. It is a wonderful score and cue that goes well with the film.

  Not on DVD yet, but if it ever does - I hope it has extras. Nick Castle (The Last Starfighter) did well on this one!
  
  

• A Cute Movie
  By A1FC4WISC65NMI on 2005-01-12
  I remember seeing this movie as a kid and wanted to see it again. It is a little far out there but no diffent then all these action movies out today. It is just a good wholesome move that you would be able to watch with your family.
  
  
• one of the best movies ever about a boy a strange boy who is mute and can fly.
  By A2O2LSA34PQG49 on 2006-04-16
  This movie has become an instant classic in my life.
  I mean, really... it's super amazing.
  get a vhs version... invite a couple of friends over... share some beer... and prepare to have the time of your life.
  I mean, I have to admit to you...i've only seen it from the middle because we didn't rewind it all the way...but that almost makes it better.
  See...it's about this wierd mute kid...and he can fly.
  there's even a kissing scene. with fireworks.
  And it has the little boy from the wonder years... the princess bride... boy meets world's brother... and this other classic called 'Dinosaurs... a fun-filled trip back in time!"
  talk about a superb cast.
  Oh, and the boy who can fly, 'Eric', yeah... he's in other movies too. I mean, I can't remember what movies. But he looks really familiar.
  I mean, this character.. 'Eric'... is amazing. Big number one... he can fly. Number two... he can fly in the rain. Number three... he can fly, in the rain, wearing a straight jacket. I mean, how cool is this kid? Really, we should have america vote on it.
  Oh, and there's this chick... her name is Millie. I mean, I wouldn't have been able to remeber it... but he says it really slow at the end of the movie when they're about to jump off a building. It's the only word he ever says... well... besides 'I love you' and 'Good bye'. Yeah. You can guess what happens.
  I mean, I don't really want to give away the movie... but I already did.
  But that's okay, because it's almost better that way.
  Plus... that little kid... he like... goes out and rocks the world. He beats up these bullies, and like, kills a whole bunch of people.
  It's so awesome, you have to see it. That's why it's a wholesome family film.
  Make sure to watch it with really sweet naive children with big watery eyes. They'll become men. Even if they're girls.
  To sum it up... buy this movie, cuz... 'Eric'... he can fly.
  
  
• One of my favorite movies from the 80s.
  By A1NFKE0TNZUGGC on 2007-03-02
  The 80s had a lot of great movies from a variety of genres. And with the bevy of great teen flicks, it's easy to forget or overloook a few gems, especially if you didn't catch them during their first runs at the theater or on TV. "The Boy Who Could Fly" is one of those kind of movies. It didn't get the kind of attention, publicity or promotion that, say, the John Hughes-Brat Pack teen flicks did. But box office aside, this movie didn't need it. It stands on its own feet. Though this movie didn't star what could be considered any big names at the time, a lot of great performances by "soon to bees" give this movie a true heart. Since this movie isn't saturated with dialogue or contain a steady pace of action, the heartwarming story is accomplished through fine direction that gets outstanding performances from the entire cast: the adorable and accomplished Lucy Deakins, a very young Fred Savage, Bonnie Bedelia (pre-"Die-Hard"), Mindy Cohn ("Facts of Life"), Colleen Dewhurst, Fred Gwynne (whom directors in the 80s finally realized could act without his Herman Munster costume), and a cameo by effectively typecast Louise Fletcher. It's a great mix of young actors and experienced veterans who create an inspiring, touching story that provides encouraging lessons with such subtlety, you wonder where that lump in your throat came from by the movie's end. I always wanted to see more of Deakins and was disappointed she made so few movies. But I was more impressed to see what she'd done with herself around her movie career. With such a background it's easy to see why her performance as Milly seemed so effortless. The scent of the 80s is evident in this movie in a few ways (the least being the cast itself) which makes it even more "comfort food" for those of us who first saw it back then.
  
  
• Excellent & Heartwarming
  By A300E3L4SQKDKS on 2001-03-31
  I was amazed at how this movie was able to tug at my heart. The performance of Lucy Deakins and Jay Underwood was superb. This is the type of movie that I can watch with my children and feel good about. Some might call it a simple movie, but it beats a lot of movies that I have watched. If you like this movie, another movie that I recommend is Mr. Destiny.
  
  
• Good DVD but annoying commentary!
  By on 2005-03-21
  I love the DVD it is great but the actors in the commentary are so annoying. They compliment on the movie way too much and it gets on my nerves. It gets good in a bit of a couple of scenes but it's just annoying how they just compliment on them too much. I quit watching the commentary but the movie is really great and it's a great family movie of the 80's.
  
  
• Sweet story with a "feel good" ending
  By A1B9U6DA7U5ORD on 2005-08-19
  Okay, yes, it's mindless entertainment and very predictable, but I have always loved this film. Who among us hasn't dreamed of being able to fly off, forgetting our cares? I particularly found Jay Underwood's performance as 'Eric' to be right on target and enjoyable.
  
  
• Takes You Higher than Jackie Wilson.
  By A36H16ZJXUIMZG on 2006-05-18
  This is one of the most overlooked charmers of the 80's. Owing a great deal to Peter Pan,with a dash of Disney, this is wonderful family fare. It is so perfectly cast and executed that,as an adult, you must keep from jumping into the movie. Bonnie Bedelia plays the overwrought single-mom, new to the neighborhood and challenged by special ed difficulties in her family alone. With imagination and educated guesses, her family survives intact.A soaring achievement, the perfect antidote to mindless plots, endless commercials and gratuitous violence.
  
  
• Watch this film. It will change your life.
  By A271P3SKP1ISGZ on 2007-01-09
  The Boy Who Could Fly is a feel good film about plane crashes, mental illness, and alcoholism. I guess you could argue that it's also about a boy. The boy who could fly. The film revolves around the interactions of an autistic, depressed, mute, withdrawn guy whose parents died in a plane crash and his average, non-cheerleader, nicey nice, cute new next-door neighbor. He's an outcast. She's an outcast. Naturally they get together. She attempts to connect with him. They play catch. It's all very sweet. Inevitably they fly. Although the flying part is never really explained. I'm thinking, much like the show Heroes, it must have been a genetic mutation brought on by the trauma of losing loved ones. The movie features several well knowns actors in various stages of their careers. It also shows underage drinking, smoking, and an alcoholic uncle that will make you want to cry. When did "kid" movies get so PG? "The Boy Who Could Fly" is a great movie. I highly recommend it. If anything you will appreciate how far special effects have come in the last 20 years.
  
  
• Never give up on your dreams, Eric didn't so why should we!!
  By A3S08RH76F46DH on 2007-04-14
  I remember wathing this movie, when I was a little kid, and I had always wanted a copy, so I was able to find one today. This is a great movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  
  
• Great!
  By A3T2ZNAV727CZS on 2007-05-07
  This movie was great when I was a kid and my kids love it now!
  
  
• Outstanding, uplifting, 80's fairytale!
  By A20U54S8PC1291 on 2007-05-22
  Some argue that this film takes a wrong turn at the end, but then I guess that depends on your own personal outlook on life. In my opinion, this film is pure perfection from the first frame until the last. Truly a classic from the 80's and for all time.
  
  - JM
  
  
• Peter Pan may have competition!
  By AW9ERFQZBVCO6 on 2007-09-07
  Well, here's a film that got past me in the 1980's. This is a great pure fantasy and light romance film for the whole family. I myself have a very active dream state and often have dreams where I'm flying in my dreams or where I'm young again. It's a great escape from the harsh realities of this world and a great gift to have. So if you too, have dreams of flying and wish it would really happen to you, this film is for you!
  
  Plot wise, this story is a no brainier. A young girl named Milly, played by Lucy Deakins, moves into a new neighborhood with her mom Charlene, played by Bonnie Bedelia, along with Lewis, her younger brother, played by Fred Savage. This was Fred Savage's first motion picture film which got his career started, for those of you who loved him in "The Wonder Years".
  
  The family has lost their father and Charlene, their mother, is working to hold them together. The mother has to reintegrate back into the world of insurance having been away for 13 years from that type of work, while trying to wrestle with learning computers. Both brother and sister have to integrate into a new neighborhood and new school with its harsh realities. Lewis's main challenge, throughout the whole film, is to try and get past the bullies living down the street, just to finally get around the block, which he finally manages toward the end of the film. This may seem like no real challenge to you as an adult or if you have forgotten your own childhood, but I remember the bullies I grew up with and when kids are bigger than you, they can scare the bejeebers out of you if you are 7 or 8 years old.
  
  I can also equate to the new neighborhood the family moves into, given my own parent's divorce and the number of schools we went through growing up while they fought against each other. It's no fun on the kids when the parents divorce, but in this case, its worse on the kids given they have lost their dad to death before the movie starts. The part were Lewis is out in the rain trying to dig for his army men, not wanting to quit, like he feels his father did, who died of cancer or suicide, started to bring tears to my eyes. What a great talent Fred Savage had and he was perfect for this movie.
  
  Across from them lives a young boy, a savant or autistic kid named Eric, played by Jay Underwood, who has a secret ability he wants no one to know about for fear they might lock him up as a scientific curiosity, which is made clear at the end of the film. The boy does not speak until the end of the film, but is bright minded under his demeanor nevertheless. Jay was pretty cute when he played the role. Both Lucy and he make for a cute pair on screen.
  
  The story is more a light love story between Jay's character, Eric, and Lucy's character, Milly, and I think Nick Castle does a convincing job pulling off the whole thing including the way it ends and why it must end the way it does.
  
  Throughout the whole story you are asked the question whether this boy can really fly and don't find out until the very end if he really can. Fred Gwynne, who plays Eric's uncle an alcoholic, drinks because he thinks he has seen Eric fly, but tops it off to the fact he's getting old and losing his mind. Colleen Duhurst's character greatly adds to the chemistry of this film as Jay's teacher, who protects Jay from the state mental authorities; bringing the whole thing down to earth in their title roles. If some other review tells you how the film ends, I won't. You must see it and I think you will enjoy it if you ever wished as a kid to have the ability to fly.
  
  This is a great film for the whole family. No violence or anyone killed. Just a beautiful story and a chance to escape the world as you watch it. It was films like this that made the golden years of the motion picture business, before the whole world went insane with all its violence on the big screen.
  
  Also listen to the commentary audio with the film. It is very well done.
  
  
  
• A good, old-fashioned story
  By A3Q0JZA59MFOLV on 2007-09-23
  This is one of those good-feel movies you remember watching as a teenager. Some parts are too "kiddie" for my liking (Fred Savage and the neighbours for instance) but I guess the movie makers wanted this to be a family movie...something for every one. The flying parts are just as good as the original Superman, amazing what they can do with a small budget. These movies beat the s.... out of the newer "digitally" animated Superman movies (surely there is a new franchise coming up!). Enjoy.
  
  
• Sweet and Uplifting!
  By A1XK863LSRYCKP on 1999-03-08
  After moving into a new house, the Michaelson family discover that an autistic boy named Eric lives next door. Milly Michaelson(Lucy Deakins) befriends Eric(Jay Underwood) and learns that ever since Eric's parents died in a plane crash, he pretends to fly. Eric lives with his Uncle Hugo Gibb(Fred Gwynne from The Munsters) who is not fit to take care of Eric because he is often drunk. As a result, Eric is occasionally institutionalized since it is feared that his pretending to fly will harm him. Thanks to Mrs. Sherman(Colleen Dewhurst) - Milly and Eric's school teacher, Eric is brought back home. Mrs. Sherman one day asks Milly to help Eric. Milly keeps a daily journal on her efforts which seem fruitless. Near the end, Eric tries to escape from the people who come to institutionalize him, and Milly follows trying to help Eric escape. They end up on the roof of their school, Taft High. Unfortunately, they are followed onto the roof and have nowhere else to run. They walk towards the edge of the roof, threatening to jump!

  The magical ending of this great movie will surely leave you with goosebumps and exhilarate you.

  Milly: We're all a little like Eric. Maybe we can't soar off into the clouds. But somewhere, deep inside, we can all fly.

  Also in the movie are Fred Savage from "The Wonder Years," who plays Milly's small brother, and Mindy Cohn from "The Facts of Life," who plays Milly's neighborhood friend.

  Highly recommended. A great family movie.
  
  

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