Here we go with another sterling recommendation of APT PUPIL, a film that is definately not for everyone, but for those who it is for... well, it'll just blow you away. So here we go...
MY REVIEW(Major Spoilers)
Got to see Apt Pupil a couple of weeks ago at a small crowd screening, but am only writing in this review now cuz I'm a newbie to the net. But onto the good stuff....about the film...
Basically, Apt Pupil is a psychological horror-film, very much along the lines of Jacob's Ladder. As you probably all know, Brad Renfro plays a kid named Todd who discovers that a reclusive old man living on his street is, in fact, a relocated SS Camp Guard. I can't remember what the old man's fake name is, but his real name is Kurt Dussander, and he was a guard at several different Nazi camps, including the infamous Auschwitz we all remember from Schindler's List(you know, the one with the big gates outside.....) Anyway, how Todd discovers what the old guy was is kind of dumb(minor spoiler ahead): he recognizes his face from an old photograph that was taken during the WWII-era. As Todd learns more about the old man and his past, he becomes more violent and less human, much like a nazi-robot.
MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD
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Todd threatens to report Kurt if he doesn't tell him about his experiences as a guard, particularly his parts in the gruesome experiments that were performed on many Jewish residents. Todd begins to see strage things when Kurt relates different stories to him: the shower scene we've all heard about(the one in which juvenile extras claimed they were forced to be nude)is very remniscient of Schindler's List; Todd sees the faces of his classmates turn into old Jewish prisoners being led to the gas chambers. It's actually quit disturbing, much more frightening than it sounds.
To cover up their relationship, Todd pretends that Kurt is his grandfather. The whole plan falls apart, however, when Kurt suffers some sort of heart problem(I can't remember if it's a heart attack or what)and is sent to the hospital. There(get this), his Jewish roomate recognizes his voice and turns him over to the cops. Todd is implicated with the old man, and, needless to say, the ending isn't very happy. Especially when you learn that despite getting caught and paying the price, Todd will most likely grow up to be a sadist or serial-killer. Todd truly is an apt pupil.
Overall, an excellent film: chilling, innovative, and with great supporting performances, particularly from David Schwimmer, who plays Todd's counselor. He made me forget all about Ross. Of course, the guy who truly steals the show is Ian MacKellan(sp?), who perfectly plays an evil man who is glad to be given the opportunity to revisit his past and pass on his ideas to a fresh new mind. Look for this one to get at least a couple of AA nominations(my predictions: Best Actor, for MacKellan, and best adapted screenplay. Maybe best director for Singer, but that one is more up in the air, especially with a whole slew of veterans ready to steal the spotlight, like Spielberg and Redford.)
