Flowers for Algernon (2000 TV Movie) User Reviews

Fair, but maybe a little fast if you didn't already know the story

[Xophianic · 7/10 · 26 February 2000]

I already knew the story behind FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON before I saw the TV movie. I've always thought the story was, although maybe a little sad, a pretty interesting story. And I really like the way it was written when I read it, through the eyes of Charlie and his journal. I had once seen a very old version of FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON movie based on the book. As I recall, the acting was horrible and the movie was badly presented, but it was ok because it was true to the book. This one is the opposite. It's still very good, but it has good acting and was presented well, but is a little less similar to the book.

Charlie Gordan (Matthew Modine) is a retarded gentleman who wants more than anything to learn and be a genius. He attends regular classes for special people taught by the beautiful Alice Kinian (Kelli Williams). When Dr. Strauss (Ron Rifkin) is testing an operation that can make mentally retarded people incredibly smart, Alice sets Charlie up for it as a test. Charlie becomes incredibly smart, with an IQ over 200, but is very unhappy when he realizes that this whole time his so-called "friends" were actually mocking him behind his back. Just as he starts to find happiness when he falls in love with Alice, and Alice falls in love with him, he learns that the effects of the operation are only temporary and has to try his hardest to learn how to stop from becoming retarded again.

This movie lacks a few things from the original. One is that it is not presented through the viewpoint of Charlie's journal, of course. This couldn't have been done, but it was a lot better from that viewpoint. Algernon, the mouse that was another test for this operation that Charlie makes friends with, is underplayed. It's strange to say a mouse was underplayed, but it's true. Considering that Algernon is in the title, this is strange. The beginning of this movie is also kind of rushed and can be confusing if you didn't already know the story.

But the solid acting and great dramatic scenes make up for all the faults. Matthew Modine does great as both the stupid and smart Charlie Gordan. Kelli Williams certainly stole the show. Whether she was crying or laughing, the emotions seemed so real. She did an excellent job.

One thing that I found very strange was that many places, even this database, listed this movie as a comedy. It's no comedy. What are we expected to laugh at? The ignorant retarded people? Do you find that funny? I sure didn't. This movie is way more of a drama with an interesting plot. It's certainly not a comedy.

I'd recommend reading the original story above seeing this movie. But if it came down to a choice between this one and the older movie based on the same story, I'd choose this one in a heartbeat. If it's ever on TV again, it's certainly worth watching.

Delightful Version of a Literary Classic

[rcgerardi · 8/10 · 3 July 2018]

I watched this movie upon finishing the novel, and I will say it was a really nice rendition. Most everything followed the same plot line, while certain details were altered or omitted. The movie moved along very quickly, and I found myself using my knowledge of the book to follow. However, I found the movie to be emotional, and wonderful. The characters were portrayed beautifully, and I would certainly recommend watching this if you're looking for a heartwarming, tear-jerker!

Heart Opening Realization of the Recepie for True Intelligence

[christian-125-445834 · 8/10 · 17 January 2014]

This film comes from a fantastic novel dealing with the subject of human intelligence, and it does it justice. There are people I know who did not at all like this film, others are blown out of their mind frames. I think the difference lies in understanding the films premise.

The plot handles a mentally ill man becoming smart, and the effects of that, what he learns, but perhaps more importantly what we as an audience can learn from his experience. It is valued greatly in our world of being stuffed with knowledge, but another source of intelligence is being shaded, which is that of the heart, of compassion, innocence and love. This film explores the importance of both, the result of just one, and I believe it also poses you the question... if you had to choose, which one would you choose?

There is a great introduction to this film on youtube that deals with this subject. I recommend watching that before seeing the film to get the most out of it!

For myself... I cried my heart out and changed my perception of what is important in life. That to me is worth an 8. Yet there are some 10s out there too.

Great, just as the book was!

[wood_spice · 9 May 2002]

I remember reading this book in school. I thought it was a sad, but very interesting and touching story. I didn't know they did another version of this book until I saw it at my videostore. I decided to rent it, hoping that it would be just as I remembered the book. It was. Matthew Modine didn't go overboard, which makes him very believable in this role. You'll feel sorry for him, maybe have a little tear at the corner of your eye, but you won't be dissapointed. A story about all humans and the way we perceive each other.

Tragic

[SusieSalmonLikeTheFish · 7/10 · 16 September 2014]

Similar to its 1968 companion, 'Charly', Flowers for Algernon, Charly is a mentally disabled young man who goes through experimental surgery that was tested on mice. It makes him a genius, he even gets a girl and learns more in a few weeks than humanly possible... sadly this surgery has side-effects that could leave him dead, as he finds out when his pet lab mouse, Algernon, dies. Can poor Charly ever be what passes for "normal" in his peer group?

These days psychologists think a pill can cure anything, that "turning of" autism, depression, Asperger's syndrome, Down's Syndrome is a necessity in today's age. One such medical treatment is Prozac, an antidepressant used to treat mental illness and mental handicaps. Here in Canada, the pills can be prescribed to children and teens, although they were never even approved for teens in the United States because of the increased risk of suicidal thoughts/behavior that comes with them. Right now it's just pills, society is the experiment, our children, our brothers, sisters, even those of us who suffer mental disabilities and illness. What if soon it isn't pills, it's brain surgery? Brain surgery that poses dangers? What will become of society then? How quickly doctors also forget, being mentally disabled doesn't mean "idiot", "retard" or "moron". There are autistic individuals capable of things the normal mind can't be. People with Asperger's often grow up to be authors, directors, any number of successful careers.

It is difficult to watch Charly deteriorate in the movie, especially the moment when he discovers that he'll never fit in, that he'll always be a certain way and has no control over it. I honestly enjoyed the book more, it was more detailed from Charly's point of view. Still, this TV movie pulls off being an amazing story, with great soundtrack, decent-enough acting and a plot you'll never forget.

A touching movie

[ipswich-2 · 6/10 · 19 May 2000]

Matthew Modine is credible as the mental retard who becomes smart, albeit briefly, and then dumb again. On the whole, this is an interesting take on how genetic engineering and its wonders can still fail to save humankind. The acting of both Modine and Kelli Williams lends strong weight and makes this movie very watchable. I don't think you would classify this as an excellent movie -- Modine is respectable but it's hard to really think he was convincing acting retarded -- but as a TV movie it was a touching 2 hours.

Amongst the best drama movies ever.

[byelis · 10/10 · 24 July 2003]

This must be one of the most underestimated movies ever. Never, in my long movie life, have I ever seen such a dramafilm. You got a GREAT plot, unexpected happenings. 100 % satisfactory, I didn't yawn once during the movie. I can for sure tell you that, in the right mood, you will cry a river. Such a sad(positive) story, and great performances should you look long after. Now, I wont repeat myself, go see it. It's among the underestimated movies ever.

A pretty good representation of the book

[jimmyplm · 9/10 · 21 February 2000]

I watched this made for television movie last night and found it to be quite an entertaining movie. I read the book in high school, so I was already familiar with the plot. While the book is better (that is inevitable with any film adaptation of a novel), this was a fairly good film. I think that Matthew Modine did a wonderful job playing Charlie Gordon. I have seen an older film adaptation of the novel (I think it was called "Charlie"), and it was nowhere near as good as this version. I recommend this movie to anyone who has read the classic novel.

A Swing and a Miss!

[inspectors71 · 5/10 · 29 May 2019]

Once again, Daniel Keyes' Flowers for Algernon gets put on film, and once again, the book wins. It's not that this Hallmark Hall of Famer is really bad. It's not.

But.

Keyes' book is hard to read. It has lots of levels of humanity. You have to go back and do a page here and a page there over again. When you're done, you feel as if you accomplished something.

At least, that's how I felt.

The TV flick tries mightily to condense the multi-layered and tragic book into 90 minutes. I don't think it can be done. So much of the intellect of the book is condensed or cut free.

Matthew Modine and Kelli Williams are very talented performers, and there is some good chemistry between the handicapped "Charly" and his teacher, but the movie, by it's very nature, is rushed.

Then the movie-makers decide to have Williams throw herself at Modine. Rushed becomes phony. The sex scene, chaste as it is on the little screen, seems so contrived, so unlike Miss Kinian, that sex ruins whatever good was going on.

Maybe I would feel differently if I hadn't seen Cliff Robertson in the 1968 Oscar-winner. There, Charly attacks Kinian, and the second half of the movie has the main character going off to find himself, getting angrier and sadder by the minute.

Charly has it's flaws and so does FFA. If you were able to splice the two together--without causing your audience to feel dosed with a hallucinogen--you might have something closer to the complexity of the book.

It's a little like Charles Portis' True Grit. The remake is closer to the book, but the John Wayne movie is so darned entertaining. It's fun to compare, but if you haven't read the book, you're really missing out.

It's the same here.

An uncommonly good TV movie

[Michael-8 · 9/10 · 22 February 2000]

I must admit, the only reason I taped this movie was to see the spellbinding Kelli Williams, from "The Practice." I had no clue what the movie was about, but I figured she could carry the movie no matter what. Besides, I haven't read the book so I knew my view would not be "tainted" in that sense.

Anyway, I was floored by the performances of both Modine and Williams. Modine's performance was good -- at no point was I convinced he was really retarded, but his transition from retarded to gifted and back again was well done. Williams acts with such sincerity and purity, it's easy for me to forget she's acting. Her performance was so genuine, at the end it actually felt as though she had actually experienced the horrible loss that her character experienced. She faces her loneliness utterly alone; she realizes this, and portrays it to a T.

If you missed this film, I hope someday you will get a chance to see it again. If not, at least read the book. I know I will.

Top Five Worst Movies I've Ever Watched

[info-55153 · 2/10 · 27 March 2022]

I was reading the book and decided to watch the movie as well. The movie is the biggest let down I've ever experienced. The book had depth, the movie was more shallow than a puddle. The book had colour, the movie was one dimensional and cheesier than a block of cheddar. The book raised interesting issue of morality and philosophy and living...the movie raised nothing...nada...not a thing. I honestly despise what the writer and producer and the entire team did to this movie. Watch it if you like to have great things utterly and completely ruined. Watch it if you want to lose respect for cinema in general.

A great movie

[mstyles-624-399356 · 10/10 · 10 January 2018]

Modine is positively amazing as he traverses thru this movie. It starts light hearted and humorous. It brings up some very fine points. Pacing moves right along, and brings about some fairly profound insight into the nature and heart of man..

Even what could have been a tragic end is transformed back into the simplistic beauty with which the story began.

This movie will make you smile, laugh, shed a tear, and lead to some real 'aha' moments for the viewer. If every person in the world could see this movie, Earth would be a better place.

This movie touches you emotionally incredibly deeply

[laugh4fun · 10/10 · 25 March 2002]

WOW. This is the best movie EVER. It was amazing. The directing, the acting, the script, the story line, the scenes, the music, the everything! It touched me so incredibly deeply, that even though this movie took place in a different time period, I felt like I was there, and I could relate even though in any other circumstance I wouldn't be able to. It really opens up your eyes, your heart, and your mind. It makes you look at the world in a new perspective. I cried from the beginning to the end. It touches you throughout the entire movie, and is on a real subject matter that is tangible to all. I strongly recommend you to watch this movie, even if you might not have enjoyed the book.

great read and watch

[dbfan05 · 17 July 2011]

When I was in high school this was a mandatory read for English. The book it self was awesome... I could picture everything in my head.. Then when we watched the movie in class it was even better then i thought it would be. Although they did leave some parts out it was still a great movie with an awesome plot. I could read this book and watch the movie over and over again.I recommend this for any one who wants a good movie. But before you watch the movie read the book first. If you don't you might not get the plot of the movie. over all I give this movie 8 out of 10. They do leave some parts out so read it before you watch it.

A terrible over simplification of the book

[herrvonputzenshteinn · 2/10 · 14 June 2021]

The movie totally disregards the flash backs that Charlie has and that tormented him so much. It over simplifies or cuts out chunks of the book in such a way that many scenes don't make any sense. Such a lovely book soooo badly represented.

Excellent movie which captures the essence of the original short story

[Viewer111 · 10/10 · 12 May 2018]

"Flowers for Algernon" is one of my all time favorite short stories. The later novel is good and this movie is excellent. Beautiful music. Superb acting. Moving story.

I give this movie an A+

Book adaptation

[ujvarijudit-75031 · 5/10 · 4 November 2019]

For me personally the book is ten out of ten,one of my favorite books of all time but the film as a book adaptation fails unfortunately...and not because of the storytelling or the cast. After reading the book I was sobbing for a solid 15 minutes but after watching the film I did not feel anything like that. I was really sorry because I was very excited to watch it.

The only film that made me cry

[davidc-64 · 10/10 · 12 March 2008]

I first saw the Matthew Modine version, and I have never cried before or since, there are levels to be drawn from this film that were possibly never devised and never intended. The chords it struck in me, may be completely missed in others, perhaps it was just a sensitive moment, whether it be music,paintings,photos,sculptures,films, and even adverts we see what we see, we feel what we feel, independent of others. Be happy we are different, be happy we see things differently, be happy we are the same. I have since seen the Cliff Robertson version, another good film, not read the book and don't intend to. I understand some of the other comments regarding the book and film differences, from reading the Celestine Prophecy and watching the DVD, I prefer the book. Another film from book is Conversations with God, I like the film, I may read the book, but I got the message anyway, that's what I think it's all about.If you like reading get a book,if you like watching get a DVD/video, but don't miss the message.

Simple soul experiences life as a learned man. For a moment.

[doogee · 10/10 · 27 March 2000]

This story, from Daniel Keyes wonderful novel, brings to the screen a brilliant performance by one of our finest actors, Matthew Modine. With subtle, simple strokes, Modine paints the painful journey of Clarlie Gordon from simple, kind, loving soul, to angry, confused genius. Not a simple journey for an actor to make in a two hour movie of the week. Modine is the reason to watch but you can also enjoy the very sweet performance of Kellie Williams and the always strong Ron

Not as good as expected

[dhyouse · 5/10 · 5 October 2022]

When Charlis and Alice came out of the movie after seeing Anna Karenina, he said, "Boy, they sure made a mess out of that book!" That was the exact feeling I after watching this movie based on the short 26-page 1959 story by Daniel Keyes. They took a 26 page story that takes 20-25 minutes to read and made a movie taking 90 minutes, but with a lot less detail and little exposition to explain the finer details. The Short story was an emotional roller-coaster told in the first-person and with the last three sentences being a kick in the heart. The movie's similar ending didn't affect me in quite the same way.

Good

[cengiz-2 · 10/10 · 21 February 2000]

A very touching movie. Sad and funny. Very realistic cast. Very uplifting and powerful. I read the book a couple of weeks ago. I love the book and the movie as well. I cannot wait until the movie comes out on video/DVD. This was an enjoyable movie.

Matthew Modine reprises Cliff Robertson success

[hawktwo · 24 February 2000]

I was surprised to surf into this movie last week. I remembered the wonderful job Cliff Robertson had achieved in the same role -- movie was called Charly -- and for which he received an Oscar.

Matthew Modine managed to quite believably transform himself into the various personas for this movie -- a very demanding role. At times he even physically seemed to be different persons. Based on this movie, I think he is very under-used and under-rated.

FLowers For Algernon

[mikerat186 · 10/10 · 9 February 2006]

I think that Flowers For Algernon is a great movie and is worth watching because it is a great family movie about a man who is mentally retarded and receives an operation to help him gain more knowledge but as he gets smarter he eventually learns that his intelligence is only temporary after seeing that Algernon (the mouse) was given the same operation. once he realizes whats happening he is angered and runs away where no one knew that he Was once smart so that he can gain new friendships whit out anybody knowing about his past. It is a great movie and i think is worth watching and if you saw it you might think the same thing. I loved this movie and i hope that if you haven't seen it that you will so you can also realize the greatness of this wonderful movie.

A film that has the power to move emotionally and make you think at the same time on human society.

[andrewoliver-04063 · 10/10 · 12 September 2021]

Having watched this truly wondurfull film and story again I defy anyone that does not cry at the emotional depth and well written script of it all. Its so good to watch a film that has no sex,violence or swearing in it a story that has the power to move emotionally and mentally and make us think again how we treat those of a low IQ with compassion and understanding and not as some do as an object of ridicule and made fun of. For me even better than the original Charly film of earlier with Cliff Robertson which is good itself its just that Matthew Modine plays it with the depth of the character that it needed and to make us the viewer believe in his role and become immersed in what he says which is very believable and tear jerking at many times. I never tire of watching this have a box of tissues ready at times more so before the finale which gets me everytime.