JODIE FOSTER

Bil’s rating (out of 5):    BBB.5. 

USA, 1991.  Orion Pictures.  Screenplay by Scott Frank.  Cinematography by Mike Southon.  Produced by Peggy Rajski, Scott Rudin.  Music by Mark Isham.  Production Design by Jon Hutman.  Costume Design by Susan Lyall.  Film Editing by Lynzee Klingman.  

Jodie Foster makes her directorial debut with this admirable drama, also starring as an overworked single mother who discovers that her baby son shows signs of exceptional intelligence. Now heading towards adolescence, the boy (Adam Hann-Byrd) is being escorted around the country by the director of a program for gifted children (Dianne Wiest, exceptionally cast in a different role for her). Foster wants very much to make sure her son has all the opportunities he can get to feed his intellectual capabilities, but is also challenged to make sure his mentors remember that he is also still young and has the same needs as other children his age.  This film doesn’t feature any ridiculous courtroom drama or high-octane climaxes, but unfolds naturally and tells its story in a straightforward, refreshingly honest style.