Product Description

Mary and Tim, Adaptation of the novel "Tim", about the love that develops between a mentally challenged young man and the older, lonely widow who takes him under her wing. Ronnie and Julie, Although they come from opposing political families, star-crossed teens attempt a lasting romance based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15312 in DVD
• Brand: WELLSPRING/GENIUS
• Released on: 2007-08-28
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: 1.00 pounds
• Running time: 191 minutes

Customer Reviews

"A Chick Flick"
This is a wonderful, sentimental, love story. Happened to catch part of it on TV and had to get a copy for myself. I saw the original with Mel Gibson a few years before but this version with Thomas McCarthy is so much better. McCarthy plays a slightly mentally challenged man who falls in love with a older woman played by Candice Bergen. He must battle his parents, his sister and even Bergen but he persists and wins everyone over in the end.

A Surprising Love Story
I watch relatively few TV movies, but of those I have seen, Mary and Tim stands out. The plot, which concerns a lonely widow, Mary, and a "slow" younger man, Tim, is straightforward and moves ahead through familiar, almost soap-opera devices. There is a snoopy neighbor who represents convention; she means well, but is usually wrong in her advice. The parents of Tim's sister's fiance are snobs, so Mary has to take him to her beach house to protect them from the embarrassment of having him at the reception with their "business associates"; this gives her a chance to relax with him. And so it goes. All of the main characters are good people, almost too good.

Although this sounds pretty dreadful, what sets the film apart is its unexpected message, among all the cliches, that people have to decide for themselves what matters to them and then have the courage to live by those decisions. The central relationship is not conventional at all, and in a world where the flowers are abundant, the grass is always green, there is always just enough wind at the beach to move the flags prettily, and no-one seems to notice how beautiful Candice Bergen is, this is absolutely wonderful. Bergen's character is intelligent, tender and wry, and Bergen portrays her well. Thomas McCarthy does an exceptional job of creating a slow person with great heart, charm, innocence and emotional perception. The end result is very touching.

Shakespeare twist
I am always on the lookout for Shakespeare movies - modern takes on it to share with students showing them the connection - everything old can be new.