MovieChat Forums > Holes (2003) Discussion > A very unusual kids' prison movie, espec...

A very unusual kids' prison movie, especially from Disney

posted 5 years ago by [deleted]
2 replies | jump to latest

This is the only prison movie involving children that I know of (aside from, say, Scum) but I do enjoy the heart of this story, basically the breaking of an old curse caused by previous generations by the current generation, the turning of a schoolteacher to evil and highwaymanism simply because her black lover was killed, and the sheer injustice of a correctional facility run by the descendants of the very same highwaywoman who sought to seek out a treasure that didn't even fucking belong to her at all!

The story works out well, and is very rewarding to watch, but damn, is it frustrating when evil so nearly wins. All I can say is, thank God for the authorities when the whole sorry state of things is revealed!

[–] CupidDeLocke (279) 4 years ago

It’s definitely a hidden gem. It’s got great acting and I love the gritty setting combined with the magical elements. I watch it about once a year and always get tears in my eyes when it finally rains at the end. Too bad it never reached classic status like The Sandlot or The Goonies.

[–] Otter (24464) 4 years ago

It's a good and unique movie, one that can be enjoyed by adults as well as a kid.

Yes, it addresses some unusually dark and gritty themes for a kids' film, but the eccentric tone and the magical elements take enough of the edge off to make it easy viewing for all, or most, ages. That, and the happy ending that genuinely feels like a modern fairy tale, something that's rarely even attempted in a movie, much less carried off.