The Mandrake [Published Private Life]

The title resembles to a movie title. As a matter of fact, it is. It is starred by Bruce Willis and Alec Baldwin. Now, why would I want to bring up a movie into my web log? Bear with me for a few minutes.

The fact that the movie is starred by Bruce Willis makes me want to watch the movie on the local TV station played last night. I am expecting to see some action movie. Some shouting and scolding which are, you know, so ‘Bruce Willis’. As a matter of fact, I got that from this movie.

Amazingly, most of the time in the movies is consumed by the autistic boy. I’m not saying it’s a negative thing. It’s just that it’s so nice to see how Arthur Jeffries (the character Bruce Willis played) handled the boy patiently. He was so caring and lovable with the boy. The fact that the boy’s parents were also loving and caring -they were shot to death in the first scene- must also be paid attention to.

The plot in the movie makes the movie not so boring. It’s about NSA thing. The autistic boy, as I understand from the movie, gets everything through as oppose to nothing gets through. There was this chase from the assassin. There was this bluffing discussion with the top person of the NSA, Nicholas Kudrow (the character played by Alec Baldwin). It all adds up the tense. There was also this sexy chick who Arthur met in some coffee shop (I bet it’s Starbuck Coffee). She’s like an additional to the movie. Yes, she played a role but not that important. She’s like the caretaker of the boy and Arthur. She provided shelter to both of them. She wouldn’t mind losing her job because of helping others (real American, yay!). I forgot what happen to her in the end.

Anyway, the movie adds a nice touch to the ending. It’s where the autistic boy, Simon sat in a classroom and drawing. Then Arthur came to visit and first met the teacher. He would like to give some presents to Simon. He said to the teacher Simon would probably not remember him and that he asked the teacher to give the presents to Simon.

The teacher wouldn’t mind but suggested that Arthur give the presents himself. So, Arthur approached Simon. He greeted Simon. There was no response. Arthur put the presents, a stack of puzzle book -Simon’s favorite- in front of him. “You like puzzle, don’t you?” Arthur said in a calm and warm way. Simon take the book. “How are you doing, partner?” Arthur greeted. Arthur responded. But his eyes were looking somewhere else. Arthur said, “Simon, look into my eyes” and pointing his index and middle fingers to his eyes. Simon looked and recognised who the man he was talking to. He got up and hold Arthur. It was as if Simon said thank you for taking care of him all this time and being protective and caring. A nice touch to an action movie.

I’d say this is interesting movie. It teaches us how to handle autistic boys. The government secret thing seems just side story. Bruce Willis played his character well. Don’t forget the nice touch at the end.