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The basic plot of this movie involves video games, and a video competition, but unlike other viewers, I don't think that's what this movie is about.This movie starts with a disturbed 10 year, old (Jimmy)running away from home, intent on walking to California. He is put into a place for troubled children, and his older half brother (Fred Savage) helps him sneak out and wants to help him get to California. He's angry at his dad for allowing them to put Jimmy away, and angry at his older brother, Christian Slater, who he blames for his half sister's death (Jimmy's twin sister died on a family vacation when CS was supposed to be watching her, and Jimmy has been troubled ever since). The only reason they even play video games along the way is that they need money to fund their trip, and are using Jimmy's talent to hustle for money, and want to win the competition to get money. This movie is truly more centered on why Jimmy is so traumatized, and what exactly is in California that he so desperately wants. It turns out he only wants to return to the place him and Jennifer (his sister) had last been together, and honor her memory. It makes me teary just thinking about it. The movie itself is entertaining as well as sad, and I would recommend it to anyone. They do spend a lot of the movie discussing video games, which would be boring to anyone not into them, but that's not what the movie is about. It's about the complications of a mixed family, losing a loved one, and finding yourself and your peace with others.
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