Pure Cornball! Fried Green Tomatoes meets Forrest Gump

Rating: 2/10 (6 January 2004)

A movie in which the current story is merely the flimsiest excuse for the backstory. From the moment the narration started, I was never involved in this storyline. My friends and I were not on board for another southern tall-tale. Is there any other kind of movie that Hollywood allows southern characters to appear in? For a hanky movie to work you do have to care about the characters. The second time Albert Finney asks for water you'll guess what's coming.
Tim Burton is getting much attention for his newfound maturity. What that means is that whatever the merits of his quirky, poorly-scripted previous movies, he's now signed on to one of the two acceptable messages for Hollywood dramas to have: 1) You gotta have heart. 2) Believe in the magic. Both of which are pure cornball. In this case it's #2. Ready-made themes excuse viewers from developing or even thinking much.
If you're an adult with the mind of an eight-year-old you're in for a treat. If you're a week away from your own death, this could be the ideal movie for you. Otherwise, prepare to roll your eyes and hold your nose. Just bring whatever sentimental feelings you've developed at the Hallmark store and install them wholesale into this story.
Is it any wonder that this is the last movie Spalding Grey watched before killing himself?