Milton's Secret

A good topic but lacking in dramatization. Donald Sutherland is good as the sympathetic grandfather.

"Milton's Secret" is a frustrating film. The characters are good and the acting very good. Yet despite this and a lot of promise, the story just fell apart at the end...leaving me very confused and annoyed.

Miiton is a nice 11 year-old boy who, unfortunately, is being bullied. The film did a good job of showing where the bullying is coming from...as the bully comes from a violent and abusive family. However, it really doesn't take the bullying very seriously and by the end of the story, Milton empathizes with the bully and is nice to him...and somehow everything is good with the world.

As a trained psychotherapist and teacher, I appreciate how the film shows that bullying is often generational. A parent abuses their child and the child, in turn, bullies his peers. But what I take exception with are simplistic answers...and in the case of the film it seems to be to be nice to the bully and teach him to breath when he is nervous. Yes,...I am sure that will work (sarcasm intended).

Overall, a story with a lot of pluses...but one that just seems too simplistic and silly at the end. I noticed that other reviewers mostly hated or loved the film...and I'm one who is kind of in the middle....or close to it.

This was an amazing family film full of family teams and me musings of a teenager in the throngs of family drama and the pains of growing up all the trials and tribulations that every teenage or about to be teenager's would identify with , I enjoyed this very much. I thought the casting of Donald Sutherland as Milton's Grandfather was brilliant he is one of my favorite actors who can play both a supper nice guy or a evil maniacal pig with equal aplomb. defiantly take your teen to see this or rent it, thank you

The storyline is what drew me to watch this movie. It started out slow, but I really wanted to see where it would go and I wasn't disappointed. Donald Sutherland is superb in this. The storyline is very contemporary and credible. I would definitely recommend this. Well written, well acted.

In light of Donald Sutherland's recent passing, I would be remiss if I didn't say that his performance was the only thing worthwhile. Even though I thought that including a hippie grandpa was a lame writing choice and all his dialogue went in one ear and out the other. Overall, it was a bore fest of a film that perhaps tried to give a philosophical message on how to lead one's life or forgive others.

The movie was so unrealistic and dreary. I didn't feel any emotions and the kid actors had nothing to offer. Every performer seemed so agitated and overextended.

There was a slight glimmer of hope when it came to showcasing the young man's anxiety. Otherwise I found myself turning my head away from the screen and wondering if it made sense to turn the film off. I wish I had trusted my instincts.