The Wizard of Loneliness (1988)

Director:

H. Anne Riley

Writers:

Nancy Larson (writer)
John Nichols (novel)

Release Date:

3 March 1990 (Japan)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Sometimes needing someone is the bravest thing you can do.

Plot Keywords:

Family Secret | Melodrama | Small Town | Family Relationships | Escapee

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Alan Wright	...	Conductor
Lukas Haas	...	Wendall
Steve Hendrickson	...	Fred
Dylan Baker	...	Duffy Kahler
Jeffrey Dreisbach	...	Singing Soldier
Anne Pitoniak	...	Cornelia
John Randolph	...	Doc
Lance Guest	...	John T.
Andrea Matheson	...	Ercel
Jeremiah Warner	...	Tom
Lea Thompson	...	Sybil
Dorothy Yates	...	Dot Svenson
Doris Yates	...	Marie Svenson
Jerome Dempsey	...	Jim
David Moscow	...	Jimmy Wiggen

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:12 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Bristol, Vermont, USA

Company:

American Playhouse

An excellent, long forgotten film

I have been searching for this movie for years after seeing it on late night television in the early 90's, with no luck. After learning it only received 84 votes on IMDb, i realized why... no one has seen the damn thing! So, I feel it is my duty to recommend this unique and unforgettable film to anyone who may stumble across it in the wasteland that is cable or the dusty old drama section of mom and pop video stores.

If only I could remember more about it! Certain scenes have stayed with me for years, while others have unfortunately faded with the passage of time. I remember young Lucas Haas and his horror at discovering his beloved pet rabbit has eaten her young, as well as his relationship with a deranged stranger who may or may not be his father. Along, with a few other scenes, these are the only things I can remember specifically about the movie.

Regardless, I stand by my original statement that this is quite a memorable film. What I have not forgotten, nor am I likely to, is the heart wrenching tone of the movie. The acting is excellent, and Haas especially is mesmerizing. You feel very strongly for these characters, which makes the films bleak atmosphere even more involving.

I saw this movie once, more than ten years ago, and even then it was edited for television. Still, it has stuck with me, and if that isn't a sign of great film-making, I don't know what is. I give it an eight, simply because I cannot remember it in it's entirety, preventing me from giving it a 10, which I suspect it deserves.

If anyone finds it, please give it a try and let me know what you think. I would love to know if this film really is as remarkable as I remember it to be.