Description-defying but very original movie about a disturbed adolescent with schizoid fantasies that manages to be charming, disturbing, funny, touching and thought-provoking all in one

Rating: 9/10 (3 November 2002)

Many genres magically and effortlessly blended  supernatural suspense, comedy, sci-fi fable, teen high school romance, adult drama and fantasy. Could watch it many times over. Tears for Fears amongst others soundtrack. Acting is a bit like a very young Dustin Hoffman. Slow fast frames. Oscar material  except it seems, from disclosures made since its release, that this may have been almost luck rather than judgement on the director's part, as his original cut had given the movie a religious slant that would probably have weakened it greatly. Having seen no end of directors make a fool of themselves after an initial hit, the Academy voters may, as they have been known to do, exhibit a tendency to expect people to earn their spurs' rather than voting for what may have been a fluke (cf Sam Mendes with American Beauty, followed by the lamentable Road to Perdition). The sincere and realistic performances make the occasional caricature or stereotype all the more humorous.