Apt Pupil (Apt Pupil (DVD))

Member Name: sharktrager

Product:	Apt Pupil (DVD)
Date:	04/04/02 (61 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Ian McKellan is excellent

Disadvantages: Brad Renfro is less so

APT PUPIL is an adaptation of a story by Stephen King. King's excellent literary work often makes for bad movies (with the rare exception), and this is a shame. Thankfully APT PUPIL cannot be classed as a 'bad' movie, although it definately can't be considered to be as good as THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION.

The film stars Ian McKellan as Kurt Dussander, who is guilty of Nazi war crimes. Dussander is come across by a high school pupil named Todd Bowden (played by Brad Renfro) who becomes obsessed with his past. However, rather than shopping Dussander to the authorities, Bowden prefers to have him tell him about his experiences.

The film is quite chillingly directed by Bryan Singer, who would go on to direct McKellan again in X-MEN. Renfro doesn't come across very well in the film, but this is mainly because he is pit against the excellence of McKellan, who is utterly believable as the Nazi criminal.

This is not a film to 'enjoy' as such, but is well worth seeing.

Summary: