Measure of a Man

The story starts in 1976 with music from that period. A kid get hired by a Dr. Kahn (Donald Sutherland, a college professor?) to do outside yard work while vacationing around a lake. There are several plot lines going on and things are not what they initially seem. If you don't listen and see closely, you will miss the townies calling Dr. Kahn an anti-Semitic slur. Look closely during the ice-tea scene and you will very briefly see a fading number tattooed on Dr. Kahn's left forearm, obviously from a concentration camp. The kid is bullied by 2 of the townies and eventually confronts them and wins their respect. Then, he confronts the doctor who he thinks has been taking advantage of him. In the end, it all ties in together and it's very nice.

Wonder Years narration? ...Check ...Summer lake? Check ...Out of reach love interest? Check...

The point im trying to make is that the film uses summer coming of age movie cliches in a way that is rather bland. It tries to go for a heartwarming kind of vibe and it never feels good or natural. I liked the acting and the setting but the story is not too memorable. The films moral on the other hand is actually quite good.

The movie is purposeful has a clear message and that is what it's all about,

The plot is strong and surprisingly the script is well written, and the events are connected and goes fast and smooth without any dull moments.

"Accept yourself but never stop improving".

The casting was really good ,, loved Blake Cooper even though he isn't a fat anymore, he had that honest, pure and innocent sense of humor ... we haven't seen much of Judy Greer or Luke Wilson, i love the folks but their appearance was so minimum ,, Donald Sutherland was also good ,, but after all lets be honest it was all about that "Bobby Marks" kid.

Anyway, heartwarming family movie , definitely recommended.

Bobby (Blake Cooper) is a chubby teenager whose family spends each summer at a camp. This particular summer is a tough one for Bobby for many reasons. First, he's expected to get a job and he lands one with a real tough taskmaster (Donald Sutherland). Second, his girl friend is leaving and not spending much of the summer...and he counted on spending time with her. Third, he's on the radar of a bully and his group of toadies...and they are determined to make Bobby's life miserable. So how will he navigate these difficulties...or will he?

Blake Cooper was good and his part was written well. Most of the adults, on the other hand, seem underwritten and pretty one-dimensional, such as: the father who is just a jerk in every way, the deputy who is a jerk in every way, the employer who seems to take advantage of him, and his mother...who says and does very little. This is a weakness in the movie. But fortunately, even with a rogues gallery of adults, Cooper is able to keep your attention. And because of this, the movie works. Not a great movie but a very enjoyable one.

Measure of a Man is based on the novel One Fat Summer. The book looks at a young man who overeats and has little focus through his life. When he gets a job and learns to face adversity he learns to be a man. The movie follows the novel for the most part, but loses the humor, and misses the whole point of learning independence and self worth through work and effort. The movie seems to have him sitting around the cabin bored far more often than the book did. I may have liked the movie more if I had not read the book, but I think most people will come to this movie hoping to see the book brought to life.