Plot: What’s it about?
I can still remember seeing the TV ads for The Good Son when I was a kid. This was back in ’93 when this was just about all we had to go on. Before the internet and social media took over, and we’d just look up a film immediately after hearing about it. This made the anticipation even greater for me. The ads played up a scene where the character played by Elijah Wood is dangling from a treehouse and the Macaulay Culkin character asks “If I let you go, you think you could fly?” At that time, he was America’s go-to child actor, fresh off his Home Alone success. To say that his role in Good Son was against type, would be a serious understatement. It really is a daring film, and one that I really don’t think would get made today, certainly not the way the film turned out. In an interview on this disc (more on that later), Director Joseph Ruben discusses how he appreciated that the film didn’t try to explain why the lead character was evil. He just was. That certainly is a positive since what we don’t know is often scarier than what we do. This is a common problem I have with a lot of modern horror films and remakes is that they try to over explain things, taking away what makes them scary: their mystique. Before I forget, I still need to discuss the film’s plot. Read on.
A young boy, Mark Evans (Elijah Wood) must stay with his cousin for a couple of weeks while his father, Jack (David Morse) travels for work. Mark’s mother recently passed, and while his father doesn’t want to leave his son, he knows that if he makes this business trip, the two of them will be set. Mark and his father arrive in Maine where he’s to stay with his cousin, Henry (Macaulay Culkin). His uncle Wallace (Daniel Hugh Kelly) and Aunt Susan (Wendy Crewson) are very welcoming and hospitable toward Mark. They also have a daughter, and we learn that there was another son that died in an apparent drowning accident when he was very young. Things seem to be going well at first, but Mark quickly learns of Henry’s unusual behavior. He seemingly has free range to roam around the town with little supervision. He smokes cigarettes and speaks a lot about death and other disturbing topics. He seems to antagonize Mark as well. When Mark finally reaches a point, he decides to tell Henry’s mother about him and even the Doctor that he’s been advised to see. Of course nobody believes Mark, and Henry even lies about him as well. Things eventually reach a thrilling climax near the edge of a cliff, but I won’t reveal more. I’m sure most the readers will have seen this film by now, but for those that haven’t, be warned.
After more than 20 years since its release, The Good Son holds up surprisingly well. It isn’t an easy film to watch, but there’s something so strangely entertaining about it. I do appreciate too how Henry’s behavior is never explained. He simply is an evil child. In a way, this makes it all the more frightening since we’re left to wonder what caused him to become this way. I’ve seen the film more than a few times, and I’m always surprised by how well paced it is. It doesn’t overstay its welcome and under 90 minutes, but still accomplishes quite a bit. The characters are all given enough development to make us care for them, and there’s always that fear of what will happen next. Or more importantly, what will Henry do next. It also makes strong use of its location as well. At times it can feel like a second character in and of itself. It earns my recommendation.
Video: How’s it look?
The film has never looked this good before. The transfer is first rate. The setting is always pleasant to look at, and there’s a clean feel to the whole film. Only a few shots show some wear, but nothing problematic. Details are always strong and the print has been cleaned up nicely. The image is AVC encoded with a 1.85:1 ratio. Fans will be pleased with the strong results here.
Audio: How’s it sound?
We get a strong DTS track that features a nice clarity to the vocals. The rear channels come in when needed, but most of the film is dialogue driven. We hear some nice background noise from time to time as well as during some of the action sequences. The track accompanies the film well.
Supplements: What are the extras?
- Interview with Director Joseph Ruben and John Lindley – There’s a lot of good information found here. Lindley was the Director of Photography on the film. We hear that Ruben wanted to make films from a very early age and was always passionate about it. He speaks of what attracted him to The Good Son, such as how it doesn’t try to explain why the central character is evil. This is something a lot of modern horror films and remakes tend to forget. What’s most interesting is when Ruben speaks on how many drafts the script went through. He mentions the ending being a changed as well. I do wish he’d elaborate more. This is where an audio commentary would’ve been most welcome. Still, this piece is top rate.
- Interview with Wendy Crewson and Daniel Hugh Kelly – The two of them share some interesting tidbits about the making of the film as well as their thoughts on it and Director Joseph Ruben.
- Interview with David Morse – This is the shortest interview segment on the disc, but Morse also has the smallest role in the film, so maybe that’s appropriate. He speaks about working with Elijah Wood and his thoughts on making the film.
- Trailers – We get the film’s trailer and a couple others for Kino titles.
The Bottom Line
The Good Son certainly won’t be for everyone, and it is indeed a hard film to watch at times. Still, it stays with you after the credits roll, and passes the time quickly. It’s certainly a small gem from my childhood. What’s more interesting is to wonder how the film would turn out if it were made today. I have to wonder if it’d be made at all. This new Blu-Ray disc features strong Audio and Video and some nice interview segments. I do wish an audio commentary were at least included, but what we get is more than capable. Highly Recommended.
