"All men are not created equal. It is the purpose of the Government to make them so." This is the premise of the Showtime film adaption of Kurt Vonnegut's futuristic short story Harrison Bergeron. The film centers around a young man (Harrison) who is smarter than his peers, and is not affected by the usual "Handicapping" which is used to train all Americans so everyone is of equal intelligence.
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Reviews
Undescribable Perfection
People are voting emotionally.
This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.
An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.
Though this movie didn't strike me as one of the most compelling or realistic dystopia movies I really did enjoy it. The humor that was peppered throughout, when mixed with the occasional good quote, made it entertaining and different. It was reminiscent of stories like "The Giver" and "1984", but with its own personality, which helped me to enjoy it more. It makes its case well, and wasn't as depressing as many other films of this type. The 1950's mise-en-scene also helped lighten the mood while conveying the obviously ridiculous elements of the culture within the film. It was an interesting choice that mixed the tones of idyllic 1950's television shows with other dystopia works to create the tone of fabrication that was so pervasive throughout the film.
I'm really very surprised by the thick reviews I have read. Just because the plot of the film and the source material are different does not make the film a gross interpretation of the original work. I believe the film is a terrific, endearing interpretation of the short story. It expounds upon the ideas presented in Vonnegut's piece and puts it in a way which is more accessible to the general population. Just because some people do not understand humour or sarcasm does not mean they should not be exposed to the ideas of a great man. See this film if you have not read the story and if you have, because I guarantee you will enjoy it.
Recently listen on my "Facebook" page as my first choice of favorite movies it still remains MY ALL TIME favorite movie at this time. I have not had the PRIVILEGE to view the DVD version 'cause i have no money. Go figure! I wish that I could view the two available versions just to compare the one I own on VHS against it's newer DVD counterpart in order to form an accurate opinion. This movie contains so-o-o many wonderful moments of all types ruling the whole gamut of ideas, free speech, memory, point of view... Most important it contains a valid sentimental point and conveys it VERY well. and still consider this movie very prophetic. 'nuff said.
If you want to know what the future of political correctness will be like? You MUST see this film. The first time I saw this on Showtime I was stunned for 10 min. While this is not the greatest film of all time you should see this film. This presents the logical implications to the entire PC movement. What is desired is not equality in the original sense of "everyone being treated equally", but the current demand for "equality of outcome". IF one takes a trip to Europe you see 20 years of advancement for the notion. They do not care what the ultimate cost to society is, just that you are not better than me. While I am not as good as Lance Armstrong in bicycle racing, I must be "made" to be "equal. Harrison Bergeron demonstrates what it costs the society to agree to this myth.