Jodie Foster's solid directorial debut focuses on Fred Tate (Adam Hann-Byrd), an off-the-chart-smart kid whose gift/curse has alienated him from the world. His mentor (Dianne Wiest) wants to nurture his genius at her school for exceptional children, but his mum (Foster) wants to give him a normal childhood and Fred, well, Fred just wants a friend. Is it any wonder that it's easy to sympathise with the little fella?
DVD Extras:
Trailer. Add the pitch-perfect turns that Foster draws from Hann-Byrd and Wiest to an insightful, often funny script and you get a charming, if subdued, journey of self-discovery. The lack of extras is extremely disappointing though, especially as the Region One release features a commentary from the typically articulate and intelligent Foster.
