I may shed a tear every now and then during a dramatic movie scene, but this film really kept the tears flowing... I'm torn between recommending this movie and protecting people from seeing it because it's so sad.
I've read many critics rip up this movie, also claiming Kevin Bacon's performance as being inconsistent, or perfunctory.  All I have to say to that is they were watching KEVIN BACON PLAY A DISABLED PERSON, and did not accept the character for who he was and let the story roll.  I'm sure if DiCaprio played Arnie in Gilbert Grape today after his established fame people would be more critical and see him as the known actor.
This slice-of-life picture may seem slow at times, but it adds to the realism of a non-Hollywood blockbuster that tries to cram everything down your throat.  It has a simple calmness to it, a child-like aura.  And speaking of children, Evan Rachel Wood's performance is solid, believable and promises an incredible acting career for her future.  She was a great casting call; not an over-dramatized, rag-dressed victim, but a believable 10-year-old in a small American town.
This movie captures the innocent friendship that can exist between an adult and a child, much like Mel Gibson's "Man without a face," as his character was accused and judged for spending time with his student.  "Digging to China" will always remain a small film with dust on the sleeve at the video rental store, but I think it surpasses many Hollywood blockbusters that explode special effects and violence for the viewing public that just screams for more.  Some may compare Bacon's character (Ricky) to Hoffman's in "Rain Man," but my heart goes out to Ricky in "Digging to China," for he was conscious of his problem, and was hoping for a miracle.
I may shed a tear every now and then during a dramatic movie scene, but this film really kept the tears flowing... I'm torn between recommending this movie and protecting people from seeing it because it's so sad. I've read many critics rip up this movie, also claiming Kevin Bacon's performance as being inconsistent, or perfunctory. All I have to say to that is they were watching KEVIN BACON PLAY A DISABLED PERSON, and did not accept the character for who he was and let the story roll. I'm sure if DiCaprio played Arnie in Gilbert Grape today after his established fame people would be more critical and see him as the known actor. This slice-of-life picture may seem slow at times, but it adds to the realism of a non-Hollywood blockbuster that tries to cram everything down your throat. It has a simple calmness to it, a child-like aura. And speaking of children, Evan Rachel Wood's performance is solid, believable and promises an incredible acting career for her future. She was a great casting call; not an over-dramatized, rag-dressed victim, but a believable 10-year-old in a small American town. This movie captures the innocent friendship that can exist between an adult and a child, much like Mel Gibson's "Man without a face," as his character was accused and judged for spending time with his student. "Digging to China" will always remain a small film with dust on the sleeve at the video rental store, but I think it surpasses many Hollywood blockbusters that explode special effects and violence for the viewing public that just screams for more. Some may compare Bacon's character (Ricky) to Hoffman's in "Rain Man," but my heart goes out to Ricky in "Digging to China," for he was conscious of his problem, and was hoping for a miracle.