Apt Pupil (1998)
Apt Pupil tells the story of a high school student named Todd Bowden. One day, Bowden makes the discovery that his neighbor, Arthur Denker, is not the everyday old man everyone thinks he is. Bowden uncovers that Denker is actually Kurt Dussander, a fugitive Nazi war criminal! While Bowden initially intends on turning the man in, he becomes fascinated by him and essentially blackmails Dussander into recounting death camp tales. But Bowden only has the upper hand for so long. Dussander turns the tables and dishes out his own blackmail on the teen. If he doesn't improve his grades, which have dropped since becoming fascinated with the Nazi, Dussander will alert his parents of Bowden's true nature and penchant for Nazism. Thus begins a long game of psychological terror between the two. The impacts they have on one another forever change both of their lives.
Why Should You See It?
Apt Pupil is an original, frightening, and emotionally charged unpredictable roller coaster of a thrill ride that wastes absolutely no time in jumping right into the action. There is not a single wasted or boring scene in the entire film. It's thoroughly engrossing and powerful and will not leave your head for a good long while after the credits roll. It's an underappreciated masterpiece, if you're askin me.
As for other reasons you should see it....
-It's from a Stephen King story. Not always a good thing, I know. There's a lot of bad King adaptations out there. But this ones from the same collection of stories (Different Seasons) as Shawshank Redemption and Stand By Me. I could stop there.
-It's directed by Bryan Singer. Singer also helmed The Usual Suspects and X-Men. Allegedly, King sold the rights for only $1 when he found out Singer was on board!
-It stars Brad Renfro. Brad Renfro's dead. Who doesn't wanna see a movie starring a dead dude! *cough* Dark Knight *cough*
-Ian McKellen turns in a brilliant performance.
-You might actually learn something from it!
If you need any more convincing to Netflix it, check out THIS bone chilling scene where Bowden buys Dussander a Nazi uniform and makes him put it on and march around the house.
I put the movie on just now in order to pull that picture from it and now I can't seem to turn it off! Guess this is what i'll be watching tonight!
If you've seen this movie, leave a comment with your thoughts!
And if you ever want any more recommendations from yours truly, click on any of the film titles with an asterix next to them in the reviews sidebar. You wont be dissapointed!
4 comments:
Apt Pupil is one of those movies that take you by suprised. I think a lot of people would Classify it as a drama but I think its a horror film strictly for how disturbing it is. My favorite (and most chilling scene) is DEFINTELY the marching scene. Ian McCullen was brilliant in that movie.
I should toss that on my netflix. Its been forever since I've seen it.
Yes, another good reccommendation. thought it was great of Singer to follow up the flashy sleight of hand that was The Usual Suspects with such a slow burner of a character driven piece like this. And that scene you've chosen to show a picture from - priceless.
But hey, wasn't David Schwimmer in this too I seem to remember? At the time I thought it was cool of him to take a role in something like this when he could easily have sat back making RomComs and eating his dads nut and raisin selections.
Schwimmer was in it, yes. Kinda wish he wasn't though! Strange casting
Yes, I'm extremely late on this, but it's because I recently recommended this movie to someone, and the premise reminded me a lot of Aldo Raine's view on Nazi's in Inglorious Basterds. The whole rumination of givin' 'em a mark they can't take off so they can't hide out after the war like Denker does. Good thing he didn't run into the Basterds in Germany tbh.
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