Charly (2002) User Reviews

Long, but thought provoking

[imdb-4280 · 7/10 · 15 August 2004]

I have not read any of Jack Weyland's work, even though I found a lecture he gave quite entertaining. My wife had to coax me into watching this movie. She hasn't read the book, either. I thought the movie was a little long and slow, but also thought provoking and well made for an LDS film.

"Charly" seemed like two separate stories to me. The first half of the movie is about Charly's internal struggle. She resolves it, and the movie could end there, happily ever after. I'm not sure I would watch the sequel, however. The second half of the movie is more poignant. In this story, Sam struggles with his own beliefs, and his struggle seems more intense than Charly's. The second half of this movie is better than the first, but it takes a long time to get there!

The movie makes you think about your own beliefs and the important things in life. Personally, I enjoy movies that make me think or make me want to be better.

The quality is better than most LDS films to date. The lead actors do a fairly good job, despite their lack of experience. Many of the supporting actors leave something to be desired, however.

"Charly" is a top-notch film for the LDS genre. It ranks up there with "The Other Side of Heaven" and "Roots and Wings." Such movies don't require you to be a Mormon to enjoy the story they tell. The love story in "Charly" could happen to a person of any faith. This one just happens to take place in Salt Lake City.

A Heartfelt Film

[NIXFLIX-DOT-COM · 7/10 · 28 August 2003]

CHARLY is one of those movies that really don't care if it's seen as being too sugary. It is what it is, and those who enjoys its positive message of faith will certainly enjoy it, while those who shuns such feelings will certainly continue to shun it. Your enjoyment of the film depends on your level of awareness with yourself. Do you mock people who have faith? If so, then CHARLY is not for you.

As a standalone movie, CHARLY is a worthwhile film, with terrific performances by the two young leads. Although the female lead's unnatural-sounding dialogue gets a bit tedious in the beginning, her transformation from carefree city girl to worthwhile human being also makes her more affable. A good thing too, because her "city girl" dialogue is really, to put it mildly, atrocious.

A good movie, with a heartfelt message it wants to tell, and does. The ending is like many films with religious themes, so those familiar with the genre won't be surprised. Those who haven't delved into the genre, though, may be a bit shocked.

7 out of 10

(go to www.nixflix.com for a more detailed review of this movie and reviews of other genre and Indie films)

I Cried at the End

[mountain91 · 14 December 2003]

This movie based on Jack Weyland's book was very well done and I loved it! Charly comes to Salt Lake from New York City to visit her family and meet Sam Roberts. I really liked the character Charly and the way she and her boyfriend Sam Roberts worked things out in New York and traveled back to Salt Lake. I started crying at the part where Sam takes Charly on the ferris wheel for the last time and the heavenly music plays, that is also my favorite part of the movie. Then, the part where Sam finds the note Charly wrote to him before she passed away really touched my heart. I just saw this movie for the second time now and I cried again towards the end. I recommend this film to everyone!

This film has soul...

[kalpics-1 · 10/10 · 3 September 2004]

I have to say Charly is one very interesting and poignant study of what a

person's life can be about. I found myself responding to this film.

A warning: Don't expect to see your life up on the screen here. These are very different people than those that I hang with.

It is obvious from the amount of soul included here, that the filmmakers tried to make something of great impact. If there were a way for a filmmaker to wear his or her heart on the sleeve, this film would be it.

I love it's raw, and sometimes clumsy attempt to say something about love that is actually real and lasting forever. (You will know what I mean by the time you get to the end.) To me, this film is an unusual must see.

A poor, straight-to-video, religious affirmation movie

[mikewalk · 2/10 · 26 July 2006]

With so many of the user reviews gushing with praise, I thought I'd better add a quick negative review; because I found this movie laughable.

The religious message is over done and gets very cloying. The acting is mostly wooden (Charly character gets a pass, but Sam gets a colossal thumbs down). Some of the lines they've been given are excruciatingly lame. If your not a rather soppy, religious type of person I can't see you finding much to like, especially during the ending scenes.

To have a chance of enjoying this movie (and surprisingly for me, it seems many people did) I think you first really have to share much of the same parochial values and beliefs as the Sam character (and seemingly the values of the films backers) and then have them nicely confirmed for you over the course of the movie. Otherwise this film leaves you constantly perplexed with the absurdity that a few hours spent in the company of a boring nerdy boy-scout while having a quick prayer in the back yard and watching him fish will somehow change someone from a sassy, artsy, secular city-girl into a perfect little pious mid-western house wife.

SOOOO GOOOOD!!

[jimeni-52406 · 10/10 · 18 April 2020]

If you have any heart, you will love this movie. It isn't even remotely a recruiting movie for the mormon church like I have seen in some reviews. In no way shape or form is it. I am not LDS and I absolutely loved this movie. The acting is some of the best acting I have seen for while from all cast members. I have not cried that hard in a long time. I am so happy this was recommended to me. By the way I am a 21 year old! This isnt some cheesy old-folk movie. Amazing!

B.S. Religious evangelism. Total Nonsense.

[doe152 · 1/10 · 22 May 2017]

What a waste of 31 minutes. Yes, that's all I could tolerate from this piece of religious propaganda. There is no movie here, no art, and no 'Film'. Just a Sunday sermon from people who believe in fantasy and make-believe. 2-year-olds in adult bodies.

Geese! Shame on you Amazon for putting this malarkey on the 'Prime Recommended Drama' list.

A-Joke.

Wonderful Journey!

[debbienott · 10/10 · 30 March 2018]

I absolutly love this movie! It was a wonderful journey, heart warming and deeply emotional. An absolute win.

Just horrific.

[mongotha · 2/10 · 17 October 2007]

I gave this movie two chances and both times it let me down, even though I wasn't expecting great things from it in any case.

I haven't read the book as I usually try to steer clear of most sappy love stories, but from what I hear from everyone that has read it, it is wonderful. Because I saw the movie, I won't read the book. Jeremy Elliot plays a Sam that is totally unbelievable and impossible to relate to and empathize with. The other actors' characters don't stand out either. The one exception to this would be Heather Beers' Charly. Fun, lovable, and humorous, she almost manages to save this film, despite a few shaky scenes. The two stars that I gave go to her.

Be it known that I am a member of the church as well. The principles that the movie teaches aren't bad, but the movie sucks. I almost fear retaliation from the mormon populace for giving this film such a bad review. Good thing I don't live in Utah.

Bottom line: Horribly written, horribly acted, and like the majority of LDS pop culture films, and utter let down and complete waste of time.

Why can't Hollywood see we love these kinds of movies?

[mom_of_many_colors · 3 October 2002]

I am not a big movie goer. For one I simply can not afford them and to go in to a theater and be insulted by what I see makes me mad. I love action, and to be honest I love sex, however I don't enjoy seeing other people have it. I am not really into the "chick flicks" either. I like one I can go home and feel excited about and actually feel like I was there. I never cry in movies, it is just not me. I may get teary eyed, but I do that when I watch my children dance or play. However the movie Charley touched me in a way I can not even explain. I felt the joy and sorrow in that movie. I felt like I knew these people and they were my friends. I not only got teary eyed, but I lost it, I totally lost it. I did not take my kleenex, I never need them, so I had to get some napkins. This was not an LDS movie, this was a love story that was centered around a belief that happened to be LDS. We have movies that are centered around Jews. (Jazz singer) or catholics and we do not say, "awwww that was a Jewish movie". This movie is touching in the fact that this man believed so much in his faith and yet had challenges that made him question it. Yet it was a love story that could make you be there and want that for yourself. It was clean, and funny and Hollywood should take note.

I would recommend Charley to anyone of any faith that would enjoy a good clean movie that can make you laugh and make you cry. Look past the low budget and see the heart of the movie and the actors. It was a movie that did not need all the big props and lights, the story is what gave it the heart.

WATCH UNTIL THE END!

[mckyla-45951 · 10/10 · 8 May 2019]

You should really watch this movie until the end. Yes, Sam does belong to the church of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints and A big plot point in the movie is Charly establishing a relationship with God and Jesus Christ. However, if you watch to the end there are some twists (I'm trying not to give too much away) but the focus of the film shifts away from her conversion and the story deepens. This movie always brings me tears, but it also warms my heart. If you start his movie and don't watch it to the end you are really missing out. I do realize though that if you are not religious then this movie may not exactly be your cup of tea. I however love this movie and think it should at least be given chance. If your interested watch until the end and you might be surprised

Failled Melodrama-don't waste your time

[alejomesias99 · 1/10 · 31 December 2004]

I broke into tears... i could not believe I was wasting my time watching this awful religious pamphlet. This movie is just a mellow and boring attempt to "touch the heart of the unfortunate not mormon people". The plot is predictable and boring. The characters could not be any flatter. The main character named Sam is a mormon version of Ned Flanders(from the Simpsons), he meets Charlie...who seems to be bipolar. At first she is this oh-my-god!-liberal-sinner-newyorker-nasty-young-girl and then after a week in Salt Lake City with Sam, bam!! she turns to mormon-perfect-for-mormon-wife...its a miracle yoo-hoo!!!. I will spare you time, the summary of this movie is this (Spoiler): mormon man meets sinner,... sinner turns into an in love-mormon-girl, who wants to be a mormon wife, but mormon guy cannot forget she WAS a sinner and breaks her heart. Mormon guy goes "duh! I do lover her" and seeks her in New York... They get happily married and have a nice little perfect baby..But then...ohhhh!! perfect wife gets cancer and dies. Ned Flanders, aka Sam goes "why does God do this to me?...God sucks!", but then he accepts God's 'wise decision'and becomes such a much better mormon than before and a "break into tears sign" for the audience appears...The End. I have no problem with the mormon community, but truthfully... if you are not mormon..then watching this movie makes no sense.

Best of all, Jack Weyland is proud

[SabeAmidala · 10/10 · 16 November 2002]

Being this the first "adult" novel I ever read as a kid, you might say it's been my life's goal to see this movie. Which I think turned out to be a very worthy goal. I attend BYU-Idaho, where Jack Weyland, the guy who wrote the book the movie is based on, teaches. In fact, he was my bishop last semester. I'm sort of scared by movies based on books, but this one is worthy. And Jack Weyland liked it.

This movie is a love story of the purest kind. I believe someone already mentioned that this is what "A Walk to Remember" tried to be. I'm glad this gem succeeded over the other.

To my surprise, this did not force Mormonism like I feared it would. It expresses the LDS religion without being too preachy; it just kindly shares what the religion believes and teaches. If anyone was open-minded and wanting to see a quality romance, I can't see why they wouldn't enjoy this movie.

A love story

[caseymahnote · 4/10 · 25 April 2022]

If this is not a 'Date Night' movie, nothing else is.

A typical romantic movie, touching all bases, boy meet girl, girl reject boy, boy jealous an eternal triangle, girl marries boy, girl get cancer, the here after.

So so many done it. Ryan O'Neal, a love story is the original .

It's "Love Story" for Mormons, but a helluva lot BETTER!

[centvriox · 10/10 · 21 July 2005]

I'm a 58 year old, combat vet of Vietnam, a "Porter Rockwell Mormon" and this movie had me welling up!! (I never really *cry* anymore, sad to say).

When Sam (my grandson's name btw) takes Charly on the ferris wheel for the last time my insides turned into *pudding*!!!! I'm amazed that Heather Beers has only been in two movies because, (contrary to what I've read from Mormon haters regarding "Baptists/Barbeque"), that little lady can ACT!! I suppose she's now a Relief Society President somewhere with 3 kids and that's OK but God BLESS her for sharing her gift with us, however briefly! This is not to overlook the contribution of Jeremy Elliot who is a seasoned actor and SHOWS it! He, and the rest of the folks in this fine film, should be proud forevermore.

This is the movie that the much maligned "Love Story" COULD have been! THANK you Halestorm!

The perfect watch for GAM

[armstrngaj · 1/10 · 11 July 2023]

I cannot wait to hear the God Awful Movies podcast and their breakdown of this movie. It's a perfect one for July "Mormon" month, and I am so glad they chose it. I watched it specifically to be prepared for the next episode. Title character is an artist, and is converted after seeing a picture of Jesus dying (quite cleanly) on the cross. She then says to Sam (Utah) that she has read the book of Mormon and in spite of being an intellectual, she believes it and can't stop "the feeling" she gets from praying. Then Sam calls her "used goods" (even though he knew from the outset she was "practically engaged"). And after much reflection, decides to forgive HER. Then a bunch of shenanigans and they eventually marry, have a kid, and she kicks the bucket.

Awe Inspiring, Sensation, Not to be Missed

[harmoniousscents · 4 October 2002]

I loved this movie. It made you feel like change is possible and you can accomplish anything with God's help. It helped me to believe that God does hear and answer our prayers and that we shouldn't judge people by the way they look or act. Go see this movie it is truly a life changing experience. You won't regret it. Take kleenex's

"CHARLY" IS A DEEPLY MOVING STORY OF LOVE AND FAITH!

[blue-7 · 10/10 · 1 October 2002]

I had not read Jack Weyland's short novel CHARLY until the day before seeing the film. I had read the local film critics clever put downs ('CHARLY' Pours Syrup Over Green Jell-O wrote Sean Means of the Salt Lake Tribune). Utah is supposed to be the Jell-O capitol of the world -- and then add syrup to that! Hmmmm -- I guess I must like green Jell-O and syrup! The book was nice but certainly not deep. As for the film: Jack Weyland, in an interview with the Deseret News, said: "I'm finally satisfied with the story. This is how I originally envisoned it when I was writing my screenplay." Back in 1980 Wayland had attempted a CHARLY screenplay. When there was no interest he turned it into a novel that became a surprise "hit" among Latter-day Saint readers (mainly teenagers) -- and has remained popular for some 20 years. Now first time director, Adam Thomas Anderegg, using a fine script adaptation by Janine Whetten Gilbert, has turned CHARLY into a deeply moving story of love and faith! Salt Lake actress Heather Beers, in her first film lead, is a major find! She is exceptional -- making the character of Charly come to life. Jeremy Elliott, who has appeared in a couple of major roles in LDS related films, plays Sam, who at first is overwhelmed by Charly, then comes to love her. He is excellent -- just right. (He has been greatly criticized by the two local newspapers -- BUT in my opinion they are WRONG!) "Real Love Stories Have No Ending" is the catch-line used by EXCEL Entertainment Group, who also released Richard Dutcher's GOD'S ARMY and BRIGHAM CITY as well as THE OTHER SIDE OF HEAVEN. The film lives up to the catch-line in every way. Memebers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints should find this a special moving-going experience. This film will also appeal to anyone who appreciates a decent, clean love story. I'll return to the theatre to re-see this film -- and look forward to eventually purchasing it on DVD!

I can't believe this crap.

[tku01 · 2/10 · 8 December 2005]

My uncle is a Mormon from Sweden. Went to Canada 35 years ago to escape Armageddon,or something like that.

15 minutes in the movie I started to think that this film was religious. After 25 minutes I was sure. Lucky me I went in to IMDb and found out that it was true.

One sentence in the movie destroyed it totally: -"I live in New York. We have museums of evolution", or something. -"But I believe what I read in the bible"

I can't believe this crap. I turned the movie off and hide it so my children doesn't have to find out yet how much grown people lies to themselves.

Cute girl though.

If you're in love, and want to be forever, see this one.

[paparay · 8/10 · 28 January 2003]

Maybe only a Latter-day Saint would understand everything here, but for lovers, young and old, I think you'll like it, even though religion is a major theme. Having each other forever is THE main theme. A real tear-jerker.

We get it, Utah. Like Charly, no one is good enough until they get baptized.

[lexisenese · 4/10 · 29 March 2018]

I'm not mormon, but I live in Salt Lake City. I watched this movie because I heard it was cute, and it's fun to see the film locations in my city.

Without the Utah, LDS culture shoving its way down my throat, I would have thought this was a just a good old love story/tearjerker. Instead, the first half is all about an adorable, charismatic, girl named Charly who visits her family in Utah. While she is there, she gets to know a religious boy named Sam, who right off the bat wears a "BYU" baseball cap. Sam, a dude who basically seems like he has a stick up his a** the entire time, UNTIL Charly starts sharing his interest in the Mormon church. Sweet Charly only seems to only be accepted by Sam once she falls in love with the church, and gets baptized. Good for Charlie, but I personally thought that the whole first half put out a vibe that she was not good enough before. Sam is kind of awkward, judgmental, and only perked up in parts where the religion was being talked about. Don't get me wrong, her parents are a little judgy too.

THE BEST part of the whole movie was the part where Sam finds out that Charly lost her virginity, all in her past, pre-baptized life, and calls her "used goods." Good job, Sam. Another a**hole point!

Bla bla bla, they make up, get married, have a baby, and unfortunally Charly is diagnosed with Cancer. This part of the movie shows sadness, strength, hope, and love, which I think is good in any sad movie. THIS part was refreshing once the religious aspect mellowed out.

Bottom line, as far as the LDS culture in Utah, they pinned the nail on the head. I've watched plenty of Mormon movies, and I've liked lots of them. This movie in particular hit close to home. It showed a lot of the pressure and lack of acceptance that some people in the Mormon church show the people who are not like them. Even when you're a Christian, it seems like you are not good enough unless you are a member of the LDS church. In my opinion, this movie portrayed that WELL, and if I ever want to feel bad about myself again, I will watch this film.

Watched it again, and like it just as much

[Inbrunei · 10/10 · 3 June 2010]

I love this movie. It was the first movie I ever watched, and went out to purchase specifically because I wanted to support the effort. I'm a temple married mormon, and this story touched so close to home. I can picture myself as Charly, and as Sam, and as the parents. It touches so close to home, which is what makes it so compelling for me. I watched it again tonight for the 5th or 6th time, and enjoyed it just as much as I ever did. I cried as much too. Sam's outburst in the studio asking for a miracle is heartbreaking. I love Heather Beers acting, and the grandma is fantastic, and entire movie just lifts my spirits. Thank you movie makers!

Used merchandize.

[comtap-121-247814 · 2/10 · 9 May 2019]

Used merchandize? Really? This is how mean religions are. If Mormons religion produce this kind of movie to bring people to them...

Beautiful film

[yojimbo999 · 10/10 · 30 July 2003]

It goes without saying that the same pretentious film critics (or supposed film "critics") on this board will take pop shots at this film. I guess in their twisted minds, life-affirming is the same as bad. I guess to get their approval you need to douse your film with misery and dead babies. Oh, and don't forget incest, rape, and gay themes. Pretentious film credits with delusions of sophistication loooooooooves incest and gay themes.

Sorry, CHARLY doesn't have any of that. But it's still an all-around better film than anything by Lenny Clark and his ilk. Anyone can make a film about bored kids having sex and bitching and moaning about how life sucks. Not everyone can make a movie that touches your soul. CHARLY does that.

We need more movies like this!

[xanadu7-1 · 5 August 2003]

This is a wonderful movie and makes us think to not take things for granted. A tear jerker worth watching , have hankies ready. The acting was great and there are funny moments also. I would highly recommend this movie and hope they make more good ones like this.