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Title: Disappointing Screen version of excellent book
Review: My 12 year-old-granddaughter and I were extremely disappointed with the movie, The Mighty, based on Rodman Philbrick's book, "Freak the Mighty." The producers should have allowed the author to write the screen version. The book features two boys, both of whom are handicapped in different ways, who formed a "unit," Freak the Mighty, based on a deep bond of mutual needs. The writer of the screen version, Charles Leavitt, completely misses the point of the novel. He obviously did not understand the significance of how a great need finally met can form a strong relationship based on trust--"you are there for me and I am there for you. Together we can discover and embrace the world." The movie had to make up hackneyed conflict scenes that were not in the story and not necessary to tell a good story. In fact, they spoiled it. Philbrick wrote an excellent book. I fervently wish Hollywood hadn't ruined it.
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