Apt Pupil

I didn't believe it, the psychological foundation of the characters was not strong enough in the context of their development, as well as in the construction and flow of the story. I didn't believe Ian McKellen as a war criminal (even though his march was impressive), I didn't believe Brad Renfro's transformation from a top student to a twisted and vulgar teenager, and the initially suggestive and captivating narration about the gas chambers didn't affect me significantly. Bryan Singer doesn't know how to work with emotions, that's a fact that bothers me in his films, and I don't remember any of his creations enriching me in this regard. Maybe I'm mistaken and I'm just not tuned into his wavelength. Very interesting material, a shocking scene with a veteran in the hospital, and that's about it. (11/02/2007)

Master Waltz by Bryan Singer and Ian McKellen. All you have to do is admire how the director magician manages to step over the abyss that traditionally divides attractiveness and depth in Hollywood. Singer's language is intelligible, yet full of emotion and atmosphere. Everything works civilly, precisely, expressively. The drama of the individual scenes is perfectly constructed, the constant overflow of "teacher x student" tasks keeps the intensity of the film at a high level and the drastic dream scenes only increase it. There is no doubt that there are more impressive portraits of evil in man, but Apt Pupil is rare in that it retains the attributes of a good American spectacle without undermining or being nice to Singer's homeland (the final composition of a newborn monster with an American flag in the second plan is almost provocative). Great credit again goes to the phenomenal Ian McKellen, behind whose mask of a kind old man resides incredible brutality... however, the English virtuoso is able to play even this role in such a way that Kurt Dussander does not seem monochromatic and schematic. Compared to the brilliant performance of the old master, the young pupil Brad Renfro still gives off a significantly weaker impression, but he also shows a considerable amount of skill and talent. Apt Pupil is an excellent film where everything fits the way it should. What I leave out in my rating, I add as a message: It is not history and ideology that are responsible for the evil in man. It is man himself. (03/07/2006)

Singer is the devil! Sensitive themes (homosexuality, neo/Nazism) seem believable and natural when presented by him, meaning that there are no cheap poses of wannabe profound commentary on the subject matter, but rather an absolutely brilliantly crafted story that grabs you and only lets you go when the closing credits roll. Formally, it's incredibly sophisticated (for example, the staircase to the basement of Dussender's house with its red backlighting looks like a descent into hell) and the acting is riveting. Brad Renfro as the inquisitive teenager is great, but Ian McKellen is a demon who is unmatched far and wide. It all culminates in a great ending that will emotionally wring you to the last drop... and you don't even have to cry during it. (25/11/2006)

Apt Pupil is one of the most attractive subjects that Stephen King has delved into. However, the study of children's fascination with Nazism and evil in individuals is truly on the edge. King focuses on credibility, using the backdrop of American suburbia as always, methodically following the story of a regular boy turning into a monster over the course of several years. The book takes place in the 70s when it was still possible to find a former Nazi incognito and in good health, any further advancement in the film towards the present is definitely not a plus. I would consider this the first problem of the adaptation. The second problem of the film is shortening the main plot from several years to less than a year because, in the book, the difference in fascination with Nazism before Todd's puberty and during it is understandably described. Primarily, what is missing in the film is the transformation of a bored boy into a boy interested in anything, unfortunately for him, his fascination with the details of the Holocaust becomes fatal. Certainly, it is possible to admire the acting performance of Ian McKellen, and the participation of Jan Tríska in a small role, but we should not be content with the fact that Todd was simply an evil boy at the beginning and remained an evil boy at the end of the film. (06/03/2024)

I haven't read the book by Stephen King, but I'm seriously considering it after that near-perfect two hours. An impressively made psychological thriller about a twisted fascination with the Third Reich that eventually escalates into a real crime. The atmosphere is really thick in places (the shower scene) and that Jan Tříska – he's just a cherry on top. 4.5 stars (12/07/2009)