Freaky Faron (2006)

Wonderful character development!

As Good As It Gets

It's complicated... I really like the directing, acting and writing but, there are issues with the way it's shot that I just can't deny. As much as I love the storytelling and the fantastic performance but, there are also certain scenes that didn't need to exist.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

Wow, this movie wasn't what I expected. It does have sci-fi elements, yes, but what you're actually getting is kind of understated film noir in the vein of "Maltese Falcon"...but for kids. It's a pretty cool experiment and to me it really works. Yes, it's talky, but in the way that those classic Bogart mysteries were talky--there's a lot of information in the dialogue and if you pay close attention you can see the mystery unfolding in your head. You have to keep up with Faron. It's nice to see a movie that doesn't lead you by the hand, but rewards you for doing some sleuthing on your own. It's low budget, so the picture quality isn't great, but it makes up for it with some nifty lighting and composition. The atmosphere feels like an 80's kids' movie. It made me remember what it was like to sneak around my neighborhood at night as a kid. If that sounds cool to you, you should check it out! Note to parents: This movie isn't rated, but there's no language, violence, nudity or sexual innuendo.

Faron Hallowell (Courtney Halverson) is about to be released from a mental institution. It seems that when she was 11 she shot a weatherman (the T.V. type, not political) and nearly killed him. Watching the film we find that she was under the impression that she was fulfilling a part of guardian assistance is subduing rowdy aliens. Of course we all know that is impossible. Now all she wants to do is pursue a normal life and put all that behind her.It appears that the past will not stay the past; the most innocuous actions on the part of kids and authorities are weaving a pattern that we as observers cannot keep up with even with a bevy of clues.I kept looking around corners and just waiting for "teenagers from space." Of course there is always the possibility that it is just freaky Faron. The film ends way too soon and the results cause us us to do a little or our own Introspection.

Freaky Faron starts off well, or at least it belies it's obviously low budget with an interesting premise behind it's main character. Unfortunately It ends up feeling as though it was written by one of it's young cast members. If that had been the case, I would have thought it an excellent first effort. Alas, no. I can't hate Freaky Faron. It wasn't good, but I can't hate it. The acting was emotionless for the most part (less a fault of the actors and more a fault of the script and direction), but I don't think the premise should be abandoned. With a budget, cast, and some (a lot) of plot development, I really think it might make a great TV series or at least a better movie.

Just saw this movie. The acting was good, the plot boring, and where was the suspense, thriller, or horror in this movie. It seems to have been made as a TV movie for the ABC Family channel, or Disney channel. A very safe movie. Courtney is a very good actress, she moved the movie along, but deserves a better vehicle and scrip. I can not say more without giving away the ending, but there were so many holes in the plot, and not believable situations, that it was hard to even suspend disbelief. For an after school movie might have been nice, but the synopsis, and other comments supporting this movie on Netflix were misleading. I was hoping to see something scary, or suspenseful, instead, I was wishing for the movie to end.