In THAT WAS THEN?THIS IS NOW, Emilio Estevez stars as Mark Jennings, a delinquent teenager who becomes overly jealous when his brother-like figure and best friend, Byron (Sheffer), gets a girlfriend (Delaney) and tries to ... more »abandon his old, bad boy ways. Already feeling alienated after being orphaned when his father killed his mother during a violently heated argument, Mark becomes jealous of Brian?s new relationship and gets himself involved with drugs as a result. When Mark and Brian?s mentor, Charlie Woods (Freeman), is killed, and when Byron?s girlfriend?s little brother is reported missing with Mark seeming to have more clues to his whereabouts than anyone else, their world changes even more as the boys? friendship is put to the ultimate test.« less
Interesting plotline with Emilio Estevez and Craig Sheffer shining. A bit of a fizzle near the end though.
Movie Reviews
TALK ABOUT NOT FOLLOWING THE NOVEL......GEEZ!
K. Trinque | 05/19/2002
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Well,I was disappointed to say the least. I bought this movie because I had read the book with my 7th grade reading class. There was NO WAY I could show this movie to them. I knew it had a R rating but figured I would take the chance. Besides all the profanity, the movie DID NOT follow S.E. Hinton's story line. Emilio Estevez (he wrote the screen play ) defiated from it in so many ways. There are too many to list now. Even the ending was totally NOT the book. The character of Mark was played by Emilio and he "over acted" big time. I was not impressed by him. Kim Delaney is a great actress but the character of "Cathy" was NOT as protrayed in the book. The character of Bryon was by far the closest of all of the characters. Oh, and the character of Charlie....it was played by Morgan Freeman. Need I say more? This is definitely the movie that upholds the cliche'....THE BOOK IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE MOVIE!!!!!!!! I say...don't waste the [money], like I did!"
Gritty coming-of-age drama...
miditrax | USA | 08/02/2000
(2 out of 5 stars)
"If you are familiar with poverty, isolation and loneliness you'll relate to this film, which deals with such issues as dealing with family, peer pressure and growing past one's friends and surroundings. Watch for Morgan Freeman in a few scenes, his role as bar owner Charlie Woods revealing a certain depth and intensity.Unfortunately Emilio Estevez's irritating presence makes every scene he is in well nigh unwatchable. And the script seems uneven, stalling every time he and his co-star had time alone on the screen. I grew tired of watching these two hang out, waiting for something to happen. Frankly the book was better..."
Made in 1985
Janet C. Horkey | 03/23/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"My students had read the book so I purchased the film. It is "R" rated because there is a LOT of swearing...but it goes with the story. The acting in the fight scenes is really phony, which got the kids laughing. Also, it changes a lot of the book...but we were all glad to see it as it still pretty much followed the book."
This movie is great!
Janet C. Horkey | 05/30/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I rented this movie out of curiousity one day and thought it was great. It deals with many issues that face teens and the ending will leave you thinking."
Book fan
miditrax | 03/13/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Hi im from nz and i luv the book so much and i really want to see the movie but i cant find it any where and i want to see the movie so badly and if its as good as the book it will be my favourite movie along with the outsiders!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!