Creator

Have you ever seen a movie that made a quiet yet profound impact on your view of life? Have you ever seen a powerful performance from one of the world's best actors go so completely unnoticed in the process? Have you ever looked back on a film nearly 20 years later and think, "I hope I can find this on DVD?" Creator is one such movie.

Peter O'Toole's performance is one of his better efforts (Come to think of it, even a BAD effort by O'Toole would be head and shoulders above some of today's stars). As Harry, you quickly learn (and, more importantly, FEEL) his pain and loss of his beloved wife Lucy, years after her loss. But he has what he feels is a perfect plan to clone her and recreate the love of his life. Mariel Hemingway's character (Meli) is the LAST person you would expect a scholar such as Harry would choose to be the host to carry the new Lucy to term. Hemingway's performance was a hoot.

The story takes some twists and turns that include a side story that nearly supersedes the principal one. But the beauty, ultimately, is how the two complement each other.

Getting through this movie is an emotional roller-coaster, the kind where when the ride is over you go, "WHEW!" But then again, you don't want it to end. The gift of this film is that when the lights came up at the end, it sent me back to reality with a different perspective that truly IS a gift.

Did the movie "change my life?" Perhaps not, but it gave me a message that enabled me to change it myself.

I think one of the reasons the movie came off so well (in addition, of course, to a brilliant performance by the cast) was that the script was written by the "creator" of the novel... so it stayed as true to the story as any adaptation can.

Kudos to O'Toole, and the entire cast. But Kudos too, to writer Jeremy Leven, "Creator's" creator and director Ivan Passer who brought the story to the screen so lovingly... and entertainingly. Yes, this is one I want on my DVD shelf! If you've not seen it, do yourself a favor: Rent it and watch it with someone special.

To paraphrase Leven, "Movies Can Be Wonderful..." and "Creator" shows you how.

This movie is truly one of my favorites of all times. It is sweet and it is hopeful and it makes you think. Actually, the issues addressed in it are quite timely. Would you clone a dead loved one if you could? These are issues that we ourselves will have to be facing and making decisions on in the not so distant future.

Virginia Madsen is nice as the love interest. Vincent Spano wonderfully plays Igor to Peter O'Toole's Frankenstein, while maintaining a mind of his own. Mariel Hemingway is delightfully nutty and light as Meli, the coed nymphomaniac. Interesting surprise from her during a touch football game too. And those of you who are M*A*S*H fans will love David Ogden Stiers as the foil for Peter O'Toole's "mad scientist" hijinx.

This movie is refreshing and dramatic and subtle. I love it, I will always love it! And it still moves me after almost 2 decades!

BTW-Those of you who appreciate soundtracks will love this one! The "String Trio Rock" by Mark Cargill is interspersed throughout. It will stay with you even after the movie is over!

peter o'toole is never an ordinary man in film. i just don't think he can be...and that's not a criticism. there's always something too luminous, too twinkling, too smart and witty. he's at his best in roles like this that let him play someone a little smarter, brighter, more attractive than anyone else. as a nonconformist "mad scientist" so obsessed with recreating his long-dead wife in his backyard lab, o'toole practically dances through the film, his generosity of spirit and warmth making the other characters come alive and his similar generosity of talent allowing room for younger actors to catch that spirit and run with it, if only for a little while. okay, so vincent spano has never been good in anything but a john sayles film, and the wife plot seems to peter out, and mariel hemingway, while delightfully trampy from time to time, seems to be trying too hard...but just watch the scenes where o'toole, chewing on his oversized cigar, playfully undermines his stuffy colleague (a funny, menacing david ogden stiers) or the scenes when tragedy strikes his young apprentice (spano) and he reaches out with the most effective looking comfort i've seen. when the boy emerges from a hospital door and looks to him and o'toole just opens his arms as wide as a church door. creator's not a great movie by any means...but you've probably not seen it and an unseen o'toole performance, especially one this warm and winning, is like a gift.

Although you laugh when you read summaries of 'Creator' with the storyline of a mad scientist who clones his dead wife (as I did), it is anything but comic in the film. Simply the words "It's Lucy" are enough to make you cry. No, the comedy lies in little touches scattered throughout: The notices which are pinned up everywhere, Wolper's one-upmanship, the disposal of chalk after the lecture, Wolper - "No, I need a fresh, young kid", Paul - "Preferably someone who's never heard of you. That sort of thing. The way O'Toole eats sandwiches.

It will fill you with the joy of life but in another way is almost depressing to watch: The characters are so idealistic, so well meaning, you cannot help but take a look at the world around you and think everyone is sleep-walking. It isn't a perfect film though, it has its faults. Meli has had quite enough criticism from everyone else and I am unwilling to comment further...maybe it would have been more realistic if O'Toole had kissed her, but I don't blame him not to.

Boris - what an actor! Sid - what a slime! Barbara - What a radiant, beautiful girl!

Harry Wolper (Peter O'Toole)- It is worth watching just to see how charming and magnetic it is possible for a human being to be. He radiates tenderness comparable to nothing on earth, oozing sophistication. Occasionally he could pass off as a 30 year old, occasionally a 70 year old, occasionally his own self. He's addictive, charismatic, beautiful. For weeks later you are guaranteed to march around like God. You will preach anything you damn well wish! You will cheerfully announce 'Good Morning' to everyone, you will keep your head up and have the confidence you'd never thought possible...you will look in the mirror and search vainly for that very kindness and sympathy in your own eyes.

I did. Oh wouldn't the world be a better place if everyone watched this wonderful film? I'd like to hug Peter and say 'Thank you, thank you, thank you!'

The music in "Creator" is both beautiful and haunting. We cannot find the name of the songs. Can anyone identify the songs from the movie ? This is a great movie full of good things and fun. What a nice relief to watch something cheerful with no bad language and blood. Bravo !