I viewed this 1970 science fiction drama because the atmosphere was similar to what I look for in an older film, and didn't really know what to expect. The Mind of Mr. Soames is surprisingly touching and expertly acted, very much a well-written drama instead of silly exploitation cinema.
While the original set up is wildly unrealistic (by age 30 this man would, in the real world, be developmentally disabled and certainly wouldn't learn like some kind of precocious genius toddler) the actor who plays John Soames for all intents and purposes seems just like a small child. His acting is superb, his facial expressions are uncannily that of an innocent three year old which is no easy feat.
By the end of the film I very much empathized with poor Mr. Soames and I appreciate the underlying message about how children and the mentally ill are treated by authority figures and doctors.
While the original set up is wildly unrealistic (by age 30 this man would, in the real world, be developmentally disabled and certainly wouldn't learn like some kind of precocious genius toddler) the actor who plays John Soames for all intents and purposes seems just like a small child. His acting is superb, his facial expressions are uncannily that of an innocent three year old which is no easy feat.
By the end of the film I very much empathized with poor Mr. Soames and I appreciate the underlying message about how children and the mentally ill are treated by authority figures and doctors.