Morquio syndrome

Film: The Mighty

Cert: PG, running time: 101 mins

Stars: Sharon Stone, Gillian Anderson, Kieran Culkin and Eldon Henson

THIS beautifully scripted, and acted movie is an enchanting, heart warming tale of friendship, love and the power of the imagination.

Kevin, played by Kieran Culkin, younger brother of Macauley, was born with Morquio's Syndrome, a terminal illness which stops the body's growth.

He is small, disabled and intelligent, a combination which makes him the butt of unkind jokes and earns him the label Freak at school.

Max, played by Eldon Henson, is built like a gladiator, appears to be cowardly and dim-witted, and is also teased because of his appearance and attitude.

Raised by his grandparents and suffering from childhood traumas, he keeps to himself until the fateful day Kevin is assigned as his reading tutor, and a wonderful friendship is forged.

Kevin teaches Max about Arthurian legend and the heroics of the knights of the roundtable. Max is enthralled, and through their joint imagination the boys become knights of honour, rescuing damsels in distress and carrying out daring deeds.

They form a deep respect and admiration for each other and become as one. Max lifts Kevin onto his shoulders and becomes his legs, Kevin becomes Max's brain and together they know themselves as Freak the Mighty.

Their dreams and adventures know no bounds and united nothing is impossible for the two friends.

Sharon Stone departs from her usual glamorous role and plays Kevin's mother most impressively.

The X-Files' Gillian Anderson also gives a tremendous performance as a drunken good-time girl with Meatloaf playing her boyfriend, but it's the two boys that the acting credits go to, as they handle their sensitive tale with sheer brilliance.

Don't let the content of this movie put you off seeing it. It's not the sickly, depressing tale it so easily could have become, but a gentle, uplifting and incredibly funny story.

Do your heart a favour and let it experience this mighty movie. You'll be charmed and moved.

Copyright 1999 MGN LTD
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.