APT PUPIL

Todd Bowden is just a normal sixteen year old student. His school results are among the best in his class. But this is not enough for Todd. He wants more. When his history teacher tells him to search the library for any material on holocaust, if what he heard in the class wasnt enough and he is interested in more information. Todd is the apt pupil, in this story, so he does exactly what his teacher told him. Soon he finds himself trapped in the history of World War II. Once, while hes riding a bus, he meets an old man with a raincoat and an umbrella. It is just an ordinary man, but he reminds Todd of someone. That someone is a Nazi officer Kurt Dussander, who was responsible for thousands of deaths in Patin camp. Todd makes some photographs of this man and even takes his fingerprints. Then he pays that man a visit, shows him this evidence and forces him to talk about his past. Todd wants to know about the things theyre afraid to talk about in the school and he wants to know EVERYTHING.

Apt Pupil is the newest adaptation of a novel from the pen of the master of moder horror - Stephen King. As you can see from the premise, this is not one of the paranormal, monster-filled, bloodshed type of story most people think of, when they hear the word horror. This story is about the evil inside people (and most King´s books are about that), however its not entirely about evil itself. Other part of the story is about how a person can change, but sometimes still stay the same.

Apt Pupil´s cast lacks any Hollywood stars, but the acting is (besides the script) what this movie really stands on. Todd is played by (to me) an unknown young actor Brad Renfro. British actor Ian McKellen (who should be in the prepared Lord of the rings movie) took the part of the Nazi. Both are very convincing in their roles. They perfectly capture the nature of King´s characters with all of their complicated psychology. You can also find some good actors among supporting actors. For example David Schwimmer, Ross from Friends series, is perfect in his role of a student consultant. Other good actors, such as Elias Koteas (The thin red line) or Jan Triska (a Czech actor !! :-)) just demonstrate the overall quality of the cast.

Bryan Singer, the director of cult movie Usual Suspects, made a very strange movie. The atmosphere of Stephen King´s books was fully captured for the first time in a movie here. It also is very unpredictable, which is rare in modern thrillers. However I found this movie very disturbing (but that is good !). It doesnt give you any answers, it doesnt give you the hope in good in people, it just tells the story and ends. What it does, it makes you think, thats for sure. It makes you think about lots of things. I liked the movie, but I dont think Ill be wanting to see it for some time. This movie is.....strange, in the good way.