Tom & Thomas (2002) Reviews

• Very enjoyable; a crime it's not out on DVD

  cosmic_quest2004-08-18

  I watched this on a rainy afternoon in full expectation that it would be another predictable, mediocre kiddies' flick along the lines that those Olsen twins' churn out. Instead, I was very pleasantly surprised by both the interesting plot and the acting of the young child actor. The story revolves around nine-year-old Thomas who has dreams about his 'imaginary friend' Tom, unaware that these dreams are in fact the manifestation of a psychic bond between him and his long-lost twin brother Tom. Thomas was the lucky twin who was adopted into a loving family whereas Tom grew up in an abusive orphanage. Then the two accidentally meet and it's up to them to break a child trafficking racket that is being conducted in Tom's orphanage. Sean Bean is excellent as Thomas' father Paul, offering a paternal softness that is rarely required in the characters he usually plays. Aaron Johnson, the young actor who plays both roles of Tom and Thomas, is very talented for a child who very new to acting. He managed to convey the emotions of the story perfectly as well as juggle two accents (something many experienced adult actors can't manage, let alone a nine-year-old child) and two very different characters. It's a shame he's not been in more films since as he's probably qualifies as one of Britain's best young talent. And of course, I can't forget to mention Derek de Lint, who was wonderfully slimy as Mr Bancroft, and Bill Stewart, who was brilliant in capturing the crazed cruelty of Finch. It might sound contrived but the fact it refuses to delve into the sugary sweetness of your typical American film (there's even a scene where Tom is beaten) and it isn't as predictable as it sounds, with reflection that Tom has problems down to his abusive past, and that is what sets this film aside from other family films doing the 'seperated twin' storyline. It's just a shame that it wasn't advertised more since it's a film that Britain should have been proud to produce and it's certainly better than many Hollywood family films I've seen over the years.

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• Surprisingly good

  p_yanna2003-08-11

  I rented this mostly because I adore Sean Bean. It was nice to see him in a film where he doesn't kill people or get killed, for a change. I expected the typical "twins change homes" tale in the vein of the Olsen twins vehicle I had suffered through a few years back but I was definitely pleasantly surprised. It is not obvious at first that there really is a second boy. The scene where Thomas is feeling all that is happening to his twin is very well directed and stuck with me. There are some scenes that would probably upset young children. Finch, the wild eyed caretaker of the boy's home Tom is in, is particularly frightening and there are certain undertones of sexual abuse about it (not that anything other than physical abuse happens, but still) In all, this is a good movie for children. Sean Bean fans will not get an awful lot (though I happen to think ConcernedFather!Sean is sexy) Mim

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• Just Brilliant!!!

  franceseca_orr2003-04-19

  This film just blew me away! I thought I'd watch it coz there was nothing else on and I thought it would be you're average kid's film, boy was I wrong! I thought it would be a lame plot with lame acting, but it was the complete opposite of that, it was very well made with an excellent plot and amazing acting! Aaron Johnson is one talented kid...I mean the way he portrayed the completely different twins, 'Tom' and 'Thomas', was terrific, I'm running out of good words so I'm probably going to start getting quite repetitive! Anyway, I loved all scenes in this film, the way it all pieced together, the shots, the music, the acting, the lines, the baddies, the heroes, the emotion, everything seemed perfect! It is very funny at times, and very sad at others, it is very exciting and there is never a dull moment, something exciting is always happening. The film provokes a lot of pity from its audience, probably towards 'Tom' the twin who had ended up in an orphanage. The scenes where the twins share each other's pain, as one of them is being beaten, is very well portrayed and it was one of those scenes that make me appreciate film a lot more, although it is slightly horrific and sad! This is one of the topics which adults would probably be advised not to show younger children, as to the subject of child abuse, although I did see this with my five year old nephew and he seemed to enjoy it, and to my amazement said it was better than toy-story, this coming from a boy who has his bedroom covered with toy-story posters, cuddly toys and pillows! But back to 'Tom and Thomas'! Like most little kid's my nephew just thought there would be a happy ending, because in end everything will be happily ever after, well that's what they think when they watch a movie. I'll tell you it does have a happy ending though. But I'm sure those kid's would need counseling! No matter what happens in a film, whether it's child abuse or not, when it's over and has a happy ending, most little kid's don't really think about it! well all I can say now, well, actually I could say a lot more, but I'll just say that this is one of my favorite films, I don't care if it's kids film, it a very unique, brilliant, inspiring, and one of a kind film. It is also very realistic and superbly and expertly made! It doesn't seem like a child's film, yet can be very enjoyable to children of all ages and unlike a lot of kid's films very exciting and enjoyable for adults of all ages too, just ask my mum, so there you have it, my nephew thought it was great, I'm a teenager and I think it's one of the best films I've ever seen and my mum thinks it is an exiting film too! Oh and I applaud Aaron's acting skills in it, very powerful and great emotion, and he's just one of the best child actors I've seen before...and of course the brilliant director 'Esme Lammers' who shot such beautiful scenes...So I am telling you now you have to and I mean have to see this film! WATCH IT!!! Bye, luv Cesca x

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• Very good underestimated movie

  mopar_maniac_012002-12-22

  The movie "Tom and Thomas" recently appeared in the Netherlands on DVD and Video. Due to circumstances I was not able to view this movie in the theatre. I wish I had, because Tom and Thomas is a very good crafted and impressive movie. Aaron Johnson as Tom/Thomas was a real good choice by Esmé Lammers for this role. It is one of the most impressive performences in acting I have seen in years. It would be ashame if we never heard from Aaron again. I now understand that he frequently performs at the London theaters in plays. I hope his acting in the new Jackie Chan movie "Shanghai Knights", to be released in February 2003, will be as impressive, or even more impressive than what I saw in "Tom and Thomas". Sean Bean also performed well, but I think there was not enough room in the movie for him to use all his talent, which is in fact a pity. It is clear that the film was made by Esmé Lammers together with her husband Dick Maas (a famous movie producer in the Netherlands). I personally thought before viewing this movie that it would be a very lovely childrens story, but the are in fact a few very exiting moments. I would not recomment to let children up to 8 view this by themselves. It is clear that a high standard of craftmanship has been used. Critics in the Netherlands were not long as enthusiastic about this film as me, but I think this movie deserves much more credit than it has gotten up to now. Would you like to react on this comment, please feel free to email me

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• It's a mystery why this movie was not marketed on a larger scale..

  wouvin2002-12-08

  Being one of the people who were an extra in this movie, I still wonder why this movie did get so little attention, I think the distribution company had a too busy release list to really pay attention to this rather good movie. Off course he was very concentrated on set, so I did not get to speak to him, but everybody knows Sean Bean as a fine actor, and also Aaron and the rest of the cast and crew did their best. So that's why I think it's a shame, after so much hard work, that the movie received so little marketing effort. See the movie, it's really nice. I am grateful for the experience of being a part of this movie, and will do everything I can to make my own movie, which I am currently producing, a great success.

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