This is one of those films which was forgotten by the end of 1988 simply because it came out very early in the year in theaters and mid-year on VHS, getting a lot of attention for the fact that it was the last script of John Huston, directed by his son Danny and featuring in a sweet supporting role his Oscar winning daughter Angelica. It also co-starred two actors from the elder Huston's cannon of veteran stars, Robert Mitchum and Lauren Bacall. But it's the presence of Anthony Edwards as the charming title character who has seemingly magical powers to cure, something that stirs up the fury of pompous local doctor David Warner who demands Edwards' arrest.
The film opens hysterically with Edwards dealing with his bratty charges who get exactly what they deserve, then being welcomed into Mitchum's home in spite of daughter Tammy Grimes' objections. Other daughter Huston is magically entranced by him, and indeed, she is a gentle beauty and a far cry from her tougher roles, showing her versatility. Bacall is a broke socialite who now runs a boarding house and comes to Edwards defense several times during the film. Her character is delightfully down to earth and absolutely wonderful. Harry Dean Stanton, Mary Stuart Masterson and Virginia Madsen are very good in other supporting roles. It's a beautiful production with great photography, a gorgeous musical score, and certainly a movie that can be called a modern classic.
The film opens hysterically with Edwards dealing with his bratty charges who get exactly what they deserve, then being welcomed into Mitchum's home in spite of daughter Tammy Grimes' objections. Other daughter Huston is magically entranced by him, and indeed, she is a gentle beauty and a far cry from her tougher roles, showing her versatility. Bacall is a broke socialite who now runs a boarding house and comes to Edwards defense several times during the film. Her character is delightfully down to earth and absolutely wonderful. Harry Dean Stanton, Mary Stuart Masterson and Virginia Madsen are very good in other supporting roles. It's a beautiful production with great photography, a gorgeous musical score, and certainly a movie that can be called a modern classic.