Very moving

Rating: 8/10 (8 August 2003)

This is a very moving film, particularly in it's evocation of childhood. Director Mulligan seems to be very skilled in his direction of the child actors, and the admittedly conventional camera work is well suited to the stately pace of the script. Peck is good as Finch; his performance is not amazing but it's enjoyable enough. Robert Duvall also makes a small appearance in one of the most touching scenes. Topping things off, Elmer Bernstein's score is magnificent. Perhaps this is an under-rated film, maybe because it doesn't take many risks, but it's one of the finest to emerge from the changing American cinema of the 60s.