All the Little Animals (1999)

As Good As It Gets

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

Mr. Summers gazes knowingly as Bobby describes existence under The Fat. He knows Bobby's life. Names change. Patterns don't. Forensic sage H. Lecter, M.D. describes it clearly: "First, they covet". Next they Gaslight, an old yet relevant term describing psychological sabotage of the innocent for profit. The Fat is a study in Gaslighting. His fate awaits those who gaslight.The Fat seemed invincible. As ever, the unforeseen occurred. A toad appeared. Bobby described something in Mr. Summers' home. The Fat became a drooling addict.The Fat long meant to kill Bobby. He tried to kill his spirit. He killed his mother. He killed Peter. He killed Mr. Summers. He ordered Bobby to dig two graves. The Fat was a killer. The rest was vanity.A harmless toad started the chain reaction called Reversal of Fortune. Ours is a covetous era. The Fat is its role model. People do anything to get what they covet. The Fat didn't see it coming. Neither do they.Obtain this film treasure. Savor it. As months pass you'll see it increasingly played out in the news. Names change. Patterns don't. Bobby was blessed. The Fat's reward was richly deserved.Paul Vincent ZecchinoManasota Key, Florida23 June, 2006"Truth leads a wretched life - and always survives the lie."Cathy O'Brien

i loved this movie. Christian bale played his part as well as could be done. This is the story of a boy who's mind is steadied with a love for living things and a mysterious man who lives out in the woods by himself who's work was saving the animals. he joins the man in his constant battle against the carelessness of humans and how they don't care who or what they hurt so long as it does not directly affect them. when his stepfather finds out about his life in the woods away from man kind he kills the man and attempts to kill his stepson. when the stepfather himself is killed bobby (bale) is free and he continues the rest of his life doing the 'work' saving the animals. this movie touched me in the heart because it is something that opens your eyes to the world around you. i think this is especially a good movie for those about to be able to drive so they can be taught the perils the road brings to other creatures

If you like heart warming movies, see All the Little Animals. It is about a sweet boy named Bobby who is left with his evil step-father after his mother dies. His step-father treats him like an idiot, when really Bobby is just a very tender boy. Bobby finally comes to his senses and escapes into the wilderness, meeting an old animal lover whom he calles Mr. Summers. I won't tell you any more, SEE THE MOVIE!!!

This is a quirky movie full of wonderful rich and moving performances. Christian Bale is, as always, magnificent as the slightly brain damaged Bobby. Unable to stand up to his sadistic step father he runs away and meets Mr. Summers, one of the most odd movie characters I've seen some time. A man who has dedicated his life to burying roadkill, played to perfection by John Hurt. Bobby is happy living with Mr. Summers and helping in "his work". But when Mr. Summers convinces Bobby to go home and break all ties with his step-father forever they find out just how evil this man really is. It's really quite a good film.