Evolution's Child (1999) (TV)

User Rating:

5.2/10   

Director:

Jeffrey Reiner

Writers (WGA):

Martin Booth (novel)
Walter Klenhard (teleplay)

Release Date:

22 October 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

Plot Keywords:

Based On Novel

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Ken Olin	...	James Mydell
Taylor Nichols	...	Brian Cordell
Heidi Swedberg	...	Elaine Cordell
Jacob Smith	...	Adam Cordell
Susan Gibney	...	Beth Lider
Jerry Wasserman	...	Agent Edmunds
Christopher Gaze	...	Dr. Lindenhan
Matthew Nielsen	...	Baby Adam
Wendy Van Riesen	...	Molly
Robert Moloney	...	Craig
Kirsten Williamson	...	Dr. Bantrow
Kevin McNulty	...	Dr. Collard
Simon Longmore	...	Bystander
Laura Drummond	...	Woman
Deryl Hayes	...	Detective Sheridan

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Company:

Great Falls Productions

The idea is brilliant, but it was made dull with the limited funds, imaginations and acting that make movies for the small screen what they are.

This (could have been) a wonderful film if it had been handled properly (like so many films, aye?) In fact, it would make a fantastic series, if they hadn't used the pat, "let's wrap it up quick sans imagination" ending that filmmakers usually use when they're out of their depth with their material. A woman is "mistakenly" impregnated with the sperm of a 3,000 year old corpse they found perfectly frozen in the mountains (opps! The cylinders got mixed up ... yeah, right), and the doctor is the only one who knows what the resulting child really is... and he watches in fascination as the baby grows to childhood and starts to exhibit all the signs of his father (whom, apparently, had been, not only a healer, but also the possessor of unusual "gifts," such as a healing touch and the ability to read the weather and talk to animals telepathically.) The little boy who plays "Adam" (sure, let's beat it to death with a stick, shall we?), Jacob Smith, is perfect for the role ... everybody else pretty much phones it in and are, therefore, largely forgettable. But for the boy and the (unfortunately prematurely terminated) possibilities of what we might have learned and recovered and rediscovered about our own latent healing abilities are as unsatisfyingly snuffed as is the kid. Quelle damage! I'd say watch it for Jacob, and let your imagine soar. That's about all you can hope for with this film.