The Boy Who Could Fly

The Boy Who Could Fly is a heartwarming fantasy drama which was released in 1986. This movie is directed and written by Nick Castle, a director renowned for creating entertaining films with a touch of magic and mystery. The film features a capable ensemble cast, including stars like Lucy Deakins, Jay Underwood, and Bonnie Bedelia. This movie showcases a blend of simple storytelling, profound character development, and magical elements. It's a charming and emotional ride that captivates the audience, offering them a glimpse into a world where miracles can, and do, happen.

Lucy Deakins plays the lead role of Milly Michaelson, a young girl who, along with her brother, Louis, was trying to adapt to a new life after the devastating loss of their father. The complexities of life in a new town and a new school are overwhelming enough, but Milly's interest is piqued when she becomes aware of the peculiar actions of her elusive next-door neighbor, Eric, played by Jay Underwood.

Eric is a special boy who lives in his world, having little interaction with the people around him. Having lost his parents tragically, he's in the care of his drunken uncle Hugo, played by Fred Gwynne. Eric's peculiar behavior, his detachment from the world around him, and a mystique that surrounds him evokes curiosity not just in Milly, but in the audience as well.

Eric exhibits a tendency to perch on the window sill of his room and 'fly' which intrigues Milly. As much as the situation brings a sense of mystery, Milly's connection with Eric grows beyond curiosity. Their bond becomes an empathetic testament to their shared traumas and similar circumstances.

Bonnie Bedelia plays Milly and Louis's traumatized yet transformative mother, Charlize, striving to cope with her husband's untimely death, along with re-establishing a life of normalcy for her children. Through Bedelia's heartrending performance, Charlize’s strength, vulnerability, determination, and grief are expressed with a believable subtlety that equates to real life.

Amidst all this, the film does not shy away from bringing other social themes to the forefront. Louis, Milly's younger brother portrayed by Fred Savage, epitomizes a pre-teenager's struggle to cope in a world that expects him to mature beyond his tender years. He gives an energized performance that occasionally provides a much-needed dose of comic relief in an otherwise deeply sentimental storyline.

The film's title, The Boy Who Could Fly, suggests a superhero-like character; however, it's not your typical superhero film. Instead, it's an emotional exploration of life’s truths adorned with a touch of fantasy. Eric's flights are not just literal but also symbolic, representing hope, freedom, and the escape from a world that isn't kind to those who are different.

Where the film truly dominates is in its portrayal of relationships - be it between Milly and Eric, or between the siblings and their single mother. It explores the spectrum of human emotions in an elegantly profound manner and weaves an underlying message – that it's okay to be different.

Nick Castle, with his cinematic brilliance and sensitivity, communicates this narrative seamlessly. The compelling way he blends the story’s magic and reality is laudable. The film's visual effects, although of the 80s, capture the essence of the story effectively. The hypnotic score of the film by Bruce Broughton subtly enhances the movie's sentimental undertone.

In conclusion, The Boy Who Could Fly is a thoughtful movie that transcends ages and speaks volumes about topics often left untouched. It is a sweet, complex, magical yet real depiction of human life and relationships with comforting storytelling and standout performances. To say the movie merely narrates the story of a boy who can fly would not do it justice. For it is about flying against all odds, transcending pain, finding a sliver of magic in mundanity, and most importantly, about love – love that can resist, persist and eventually heal.