Dir: Stephen Frears
1982
*****
Stephen Frears is a well respected and talented director, he's made a bunch of great films but I don't think he has ever matched the brilliance of his debut; an adaption of David Cook's Walter. Ian McKellen is also an actor who is loved and admired but again, I think this is still his greatest performance. His portrayal of Walter, a man with learning disabilities in a time where people didn't understand mental health as much as they do today, is nothing short of masterful. He is totally believable, utterly captivating and handles the role tastefully and with great feeling but with the brutal realism that was required in the story. My Left Foot is the only other film I can think of of this nature, another great film but it is a success story, while Walter reveals the unpopular and unfortunate truth, although it certainly isn't without its charm, beauty and positively. Devastating but truly wonderful.
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