Charly

Hadn’t seen this film since seeing it in theater 50 years ago and remembered little of it when watching it recently. A charming story about a (now-termed) developmentally disabled 32-year-old man who consents to an experimental operation to reverse his mental disability. Charly Gordon (Cliff Robertson) is guided by his night school teacher Miss Killian (Claire Bloom) through the process. Based on the novel “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes, the story follows Charly’s awakening first to normal intelligence, then to exceptional intelligence. While the film is beset with some late-sixties cinema clichés, it holds up well in presenting the eventually sad story. Robertson won the best actor Oscar for his performance and deservedly so, beating Ron Moody’s excellent Fagin performance in “Oliver!” among others.

Claire Bloom and Cliff Robertson both provide exceptional performances. It is an imaginative premise which permitted Robertson to truly demonstrate his range in playing the role of a mentally impaired individual who through a drug becomes brilliant and then relapses in the context of a romance. It remains one of my favorite films. Consider the premise of Forest Gump becoming Einstein( That is a bit of exaggeration, but provide my implied recognition of the range of characters Tom Hanks has played.).

Daniel Keyes created a timeless classic that stirs the heart and mind, and Cliff Robertson made it come to life on screen. I loved the story, book, and movie back in the 1960s and I love them now. Mary Shelley established the concept of science run-amok long before Keyes, but her Frankenstein monster is usually mistaken for the creature, not its creator. Keyes establishes a clearer line: his hero is just that, and his doctors not megalomaniacs, but people who accept the idea that because science can do something, it should. And that seems true, especially when the work is so benign, so kind; especially when a nice, 68 IQ man can be transformed.Other questions for science emerge: what is informed consent, and what does it matter, if informed consent itself is only possible after the actual experiment makes the subject capable of giving it? The questions are many, and yet the film is not preachy or pedantic. Rather, I love Charly (Charlie in the Keyes' work) and I root for him, even as I know he is in an impossible, hopeless situation, and he comes to know it. The mouse, Algernon, becomes a touchstone that both Charly and I learn to love, as well. Charly's victory is in becoming, and his tragedy is that becoming transforms him through loss of innocence. Just as a child sees love in every face, until he doesn't, Charly's unequivocal trust in human kindness, tried and tested, becomes an unforeseen consequence of the experiment.

I have read both the original short story and later the novel by Mr. Keyes. I have seen both this version and the TV movie broadcast a bit over twenty years ago. Some do not care for the latter, but I am one who appreciated it a lot. But this version has perhaps a slight edge. (However, I give the mouse Algernon in the remake the edge.) It is a story -- all versions -- about character over surface characteristics. If we are ultimately judged, which I believe, it will be for our conduct, not for high IQ or money or power or prestige.

I purchased this because it was rarely on television and the dvd was not made for widescreen tv’s. I enjoyed Claire Bloom but I found Cliff Robertson’s performance not academy award worthy. He should have been nominated but the award should have gone to Peter O’Toole. But the transfer to Blu-ray is quite good and the film was enjoyable.

Great movie Seen it when it first came out decades ago. When I seen it was available I bought it. It was great to see it again. Robertson won an award for this movie. I believe it was an oscar. He did a fabulous job acting in this movie.

Cliff Robertson's academy-award winning performance. Touching story of a mentally retarded young man who undergoes an operation and becomes a near-genius. In fact, he even falls in love with an attractive woman doctor who is also drawn to him. A problem arises! The effect of the operation is not permanent! In time, Charley Gordon reverts back to the person he had been. Humanly far-reaching and tenderly touching. Fine performance by Claire Bloom as the doctor who becomes the center of Charley's attentions and interest. Unique. Memorable. And, above all,most touching and poignant.

Ok, I know that the book is always better than the film, however, this "transfer" is particularly bad.The book, Flowers for Algernon, is a beautiful and heart felt journey - read the reviews of the book and buy.The DVD, well... I'm sure the director and actors "lived" the book and credit to them for doing so. However, the film version is outdated - the opening scene will either put you off or make you a fan for life.

Having just finished the book 'Flowers for Algenon' I thought I'd give this film version a go, despite some wary reviews. It's not a very good film at all and I'm surprised that Cliff Robertson won an Oscar for his performance, which was ok, but not awe inspiring. Many differences with the book, but sadly none that I enjoyed. Of course a film always has to be expedient whereas a book can take its time, but we literally only glimpse the angry Charlie, and his relationship with Alice is all too easy. Some of the cinematography is very spirit-of-the-60's which is an amusing distraction. I'll give one star because the story is good, one for Cliff Robertson's performance and one for Algenon's!

Good film, but didn't mention that it was region a (1).good job I have a region 1 player.

The film made me uncomfortable. Read the book instead - makes you think, and is very moving.

A film about turning a mentally challenged adult into a smart genius. Where have you seen that lately? This story line has been done many a time but this version is classed as one of the best. Give it a try, you will not regret it!