The Boy Who Could Fly

Magical family movie from the 1980s, stilll much undervalued.

The second film to be featured in The Lost Movies after The Last Starfighter by director Nick Castle. This is a director who has disappeared in recent years. A real shame as his gift is to tell corny, sentimental stories with such a straight face that they instead become truly magical.

The Boy Who Could Fly is a prime example of this. Set in an idyllic American suburb, the film centres on the relationship between a new girl in the neighbourhood and her autistic neighbour who believes he can fly. It's easy to see how this could have become sentimental mush and yet in the hands of director Castle, it undercuts the emotion with a sharp sense of humour to create a winning formula.

The movie does deal with some very real issues - the death of ones father and how a family must cope, alcoholism, autism, loneliness and even bullying. But the film is never preachy and it's so involving that you warm to the characters and long to see that happy ending. Compared to today's teen movies there is simply no compare for the subtle performances of Jay Underwood as Eric Gibb, the boy of the title and Lucy Deakins as Milly Michaelson, the girl who coazes him out of his shell.

Look out too for a winning performance by the ever reliable Fred Savage (before he became an awkward teenager) supplying much of the comedy. Special mention must go to the score by Bruce Broughton which reminds you how effective an emotional soundtrack can be. A real positive message about the realization of dreams and the idea that anything is possible round off one of the true great family films.

For those who look for character-led storylines, good performances and a heartwarming story (without being too corny) The Boy Who Could Fly is a truly overlooked and underrated gem. If you can track it down (currently unavailable in the UK) see it now!