Not a Stranger (2018) User Reviews

Exceeded my expectations.

[CabbageCustard · 7/10 · 20 May 2021]

I really didn't know what to expect from thsi movie. I thought it might be an attempt to update 'Man Without a Face' for the 21st century. It is not. This movie doesn't star any actors that I have ever heard of and I had not heard of the movie itself before a friend recommended it. I was worried that it may be one of those cheaply made, poorly acted vanity productions that some wannabe film maker with an overblown opinion of himself had cobbled together with no budget, an awful script and using their extended family as a cast. I have encountered quite a few movies like that. I am happy to say that this is not one of them.

This is a well acted, intelligently scripted, thought provoking and sometimes moving film. I must admit, I am not entirely sure what message is we, the viewers, are meant to take away from this, but the fact that I'm still thinking on it the next day says a lot about this movie's impact. I really enjoyed it and am happy to recommend it. There are no car chases, no gratuitous violence, no robots, no explosions and no sex, so if those are your hallmarks of a good movie this isn't the one for you. If you're into sensitive, intelligent film making though, you will enjoy this.

My only minor gripe with this movie is that it perpetuates the odd practice of many American movies in having young characters played by actors who are obviously older than the characters are said to be. The three boys at the heart of this movie are supposed to be 12 years of age. The three actors very obviously are not. Why not make the characters 14 or 15 years old? It wouldn't have diminished the movie one iota. Odd, but not enough to spoil a hidden gem of a movie.

Worth the watch!

[Peisher · 9/10 · 7 July 2020]

I happen to catch this wonderful story on Amazon Prime! Agree with some of the other reviews that it was a little to drawn out and need tighter direction. Acting was very good, but I think the story just needed a rewrite or two. There were scenes that kept me very engaged and some that had me wishing things would move along. Because of the great story, acting and direction I gave this film a 9. A nine because very few films have me glued to whats happening on screen as this one did in certain parts. I know budget plays a big part in these films, but only a few changes would have been needed and it's a 10!

Fantastic story of healing and mentoring

[wrxsti54 · 8/10 · 20 September 2021]

This movie is a unique and powerful story of how a grieving 13 year old boy meets an even more grief stricken 50 year old man and they help each other heal from their tragic losses of loved ones. Lead actor and director James Russo plays former High School English teacher Bob Madden who crosses the path of Ray Coombs (John Babbo) and his 12 year old buddies Kevin (Matthew McGuire) and Jimmy (Mesiyah Oduro) playing baseball one summer vacation in suburban Chicago. Bob befriends the boys but remains a mysterious and intriguing enigma to the them as he introduces them to classics of American literature.

Ray in particular is captivated by Bob who inspires him to write poetry and more. Bob's seemingly curious interest in these boys understandably raises the ire of Ray's stepfather unearthing Ray's grief from having lost his father in a traffic accident three years before. The stepfather's complaint to the local police detective leads to a dramatic climax when Bob, having told Ray and the boys to not be part of his life anymore, rescues Ray from a severe beating by a neighborhood bully only to be arrested and charged with assault by the overanxious detective.

As Bob's sister (with whom he stays in her restaurant) bails him out of jail, the truth of what happened to Bob's wife and two sons (similar age to Ray and his friends) comes out. They too were tragically killed in a car accident enroute to a vacation in Maine that Bob did not go on because he was asked to stay back and run a summer school camp program. His guilt kept him from attending both the funeral and even the grave until he showed up three years later on his sister's doorstep.

Bob's experience as an English teacher gives Ray a window into the world of a writer as he embarks upon his own writing with Bob's encouragement and these early adolescent boys' embrace of Bob despite the surface weirdness of the association helps him heal from his tragic loss.

Russo and Babbo brilliantly carry this movie that features some long silences as the powerful emotions at stake are able to play out on screen. The only niggle is that casting 15 year old Babbo, whilst he did a great job, you could easily tell he wasn't 12 or 13 so that did slightly dent the authenticity of the story line as there is a big emotional maturity difference between 15 and 13 year old boys.

Slow... but good!

[dantharpe · 8/10 · 8 April 2020]

A beautiful story, would have been a lot more effective had it not been so very slowly directed. I am sure the Director is gifted, but in this particular movie, he/she is very lacking. although the final product of the movie is touching, having to sit through the drudgery of long, drawn out scenes and slow interaction of the characters was most painful. Much of the pauses between interaction of the characters could have been cut from the movie making it a lot more effective.

However, I have given this movie an 8 rating out of 10 because of the story line. It is a powerful example of pain, dealing with loss, yet in the midst of it all, the beauty of friendship and the need for fellow mankind.

I highly recommend this movie, just be prepared to travel it's story at a snails pace.

Simple. Great emotions

[smiledaydream · 9/10 · 27 February 2021]

Sometimes it kind of sucks wanting to write a review but not wanting to let you know anything. I don't wanna know anything when I see a movie if I know I'm gonna watch it. Story is not complex. I don't know. Maybe it is. I like the story a lot. Good writing. Good lesson. This movie would be good for any age group and has a good outlook.

Good, clean, wholesome

[ljppkgfgs · 10/10 · 31 August 2020]

In a day and age of movies that contain nudity, sex, violence, language and such, don't expect these in this movie. This movie does contain a few alcoholic drinks and trips to the local bar.

A refreshing drama I highly recommend it.