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Movies / On DVD / I Am David
I Am David

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I Am David (2004)

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Reviews Counted:34

Fresh:13

Rotten:21

Average Rating:5.2/10

Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for thematic elements and violent content

Runtime: 1 hr 35 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Dec 3, 2004 Limited

Box Office: $252,018

Synopsis: An extraordinary family adventure, I AM DAVID follows a twelve year-old boy as he boldly escapes from an East European prison camp and makes an incredible personal journey to freedom. Fleeing with... An extraordinary family adventure, I AM DAVID follows a twelve year-old boy as he boldly escapes from an East European prison camp and makes an incredible personal journey to freedom. Fleeing with only a compass, half a loaf of bread and a sealed, secret letter he must carry across the continent, David cannot foresee the dramatic odyssey that awaits him. From stowing away on a ship bound for Italy, to facing his fears of the dangerous outside world, to the unexpected revelation of his true identity, David discovers for the first time the real meaning of courage, trust, laughter and hope. Based on the internationally acclaimed young adult novel by Anne Holm, I AM DAVID celebrates the indomitable human spirit and captures the thrill of a child tasting the wonders and excitement of life for the first time. The film is written and directed by Paul Feig (the Emmy-nominated creator of television's "Freaks and Geeks"). The cast includes Oscar nominee and two-time Golden Globe winner Joan Plowright ("Enchanted April"), acclaimed American actor Jim Caviezel ("The Passion of the Christ") and newcomer Ben Tibber in the role of David. The producers are Clive Parsons, Davina Belling and Lauren Levine. When the story begins, freedom is just a dream to David (Ben Tibber), a young boy who has grown up a captive in a 1950s labor camp with almost no knowledge of the outside world or what happened to his family. Everything he knows about life has been taught to him by his fellow prisoner and mentor Johannes (Jim Caviezel). One night David is helped to make a brave break from the camp and is handed a mysterious letter he is told must reach Denmark, a place David has never heard of, let alone knows how to find. Relying on his wits and courage, David manages to evade the prison commandos, attempt a dangerous border crossing and hide away on a freighter headed for Italy, but his adventure is only just beginning. In Italy, David discovers something beyond his imagination: a country at peace. He has no idea how to get along in this brave new world-the only advice he's ever been given is to trust no one. He doesn't understand the most basic aspects of everyday life - doesn't know what money is, how to use silverware or even how to smile. It's as if he must learn how to live in the world from scratch, and each day brings both shocking new terrors and exhilarating new pleasures. When David is taken in by a kind aristocratic Italian family, he is so happy to at last have a home, he almost gives up on his quest to reach Denmark. But the journey must go on. Haunted by memories, David crosses into Switzerland, where he meets an artist recovering from her own tragedy, Sophie (Joan Plowright), the woman who will help him find the key to his identity and his destiny at last. -- © Lions Gate Films [More]

Starring: Ben Tibber, Jim Caviezel, Joan Plowright

Starring: Ben Tibber, Jim Caviezel, Joan Plowright

Director: Paul Feig

Director: Paul Feig
Screenwriter: Paul Feig
Producer: Clive Parsons, Davina Belling
Studio: Lions Gate Films

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Release:

Apr 5, 2005

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Reviews for I Am David

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1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z)
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Get out the Game Boy instead.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment 1 Comment
08/26/06
Jules Brenner
Jules Brenner
Filmcritic.com

I Am David is a fine family film about a twelve-year old boy's escape from a Bulgarian prison camp and his quest to find out his true identity.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
10/28/04
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

While some parents might wish the film had more emotional depth, they will probably appreciate the gentle humor. Then they can introduce their children to the book.

Full Review Source: Christianity Today | comment Comment
09/25/06
Peter T. Chattaway
Peter T. Chattaway
Christianity Today

Leaves you with the lingering scent of truth.

Full Review Source: Dallas Morning News | comment Comment
12/02/04
Nancy Churnin
Nancy Churnin
Dallas Morning News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Manipulative though it is, it doesn't generate much real emotion.

Full Review Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune | comment Comment
12/02/04
Colin Covert
Colin Covert
Minneapolis Star Tribune
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It's like Tom Sawyer's Great Escape - a strange combination of stories that's interesting, but doesn't quite capture your emotions.

Full Review Source: TheMovieChicks.com | comment Comment
12/05/04
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
TheMovieChicks.com

It's so under-dramatized that it's barely there.

Full Review Source: Las Vegas Mercury | comment Comment
12/02/04
Anthony Del Valle
Anthony Del Valle
Las Vegas Mercury

It's not lack of a strong story that keeps I Am David from taking off. Blame a straightforward approach that makes the movie feel too much like an after-school special.

Full Review Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News | comment Comment
12/03/04
Robert Denerstein
Robert Denerstein
Denver Rocky Mountain News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

I know, I know, I'm supposed to get sentimental about this heart-warming tale. But I couldn't believe a moment of it, and never identified with little David.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
12/03/04
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Falls prey to the defect of all poor road movies: In gluing together unbelievable but convenient episodes with sugary sentimentality, it loses most of its credibility.

Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
12/02/04
Robert K. Elder
Robert K. Elder
Chicago Tribune
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

An unconvincing fairy tale that masquerades as an earnest plea for freedom.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
09/18/04
Bruce Feld
Bruce Feld
Film Journal International

While probably not suitable for the wee ones, older kids and most adults will love this exciting and heartfelt adventure of one boy's survival during the darkest days of post-war Europe.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
12/03/04
Ken Fox
Ken Fox
TV Guide's Movie Guide

At its best in the taut opening and in the third act, when the pieces finally come together. In between, the episodic story sags a bit.

Full Review Source: Decent Films Guide | comment Comment
12/03/04
Steven D. Greydanus
Steven D. Greydanus
Decent Films Guide

The film is marred by too many coincidences, but there are a couple of twists at the end that tug at the heartstrings and leave you with a warm feeling.

Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
12/03/04
Eric Harrison
Eric Harrison
Houston Chronicle
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

He knows there's so much drama and emotion in the story, it doesn't need schmaltzy dialogue or actors begging us to cry.

Full Review Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press | comment Comment
12/02/04
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
St. Paul Pioneer Press

An unusually intelligent adventure film scaled for younger viewers, which never leaves adults behind.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
12/02/04
Robert Koehler
Robert Koehler
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Short, simple and inoffensive, it's well suited to family viewing, albeit on the gogglebox one Sunday teatime rather than the big screen.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
11/09/04
Matthew Leyland
Matthew Leyland
BBC

"I Am David" earns just about every teardrop it elicits. The journey isn't smooth, but that doesn't mean it isn't worthwhile.

Full Review Source: Kansas City Star | comment Comment
12/03/04
Dan Lybarger
Dan Lybarger
Kansas City Star

Essentially a tearjerker, with little originality or insight.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
11/19/03
Joe Mader
Joe Mader
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

One of those well-intentioned misfires that so frustrate both audiences and critics -- brimming with thematic potential, yet consistently unable to establish and maintain an effective tone.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
12/03/04
Wade Major
Wade Major
Boxoffice Magazine
 
 
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