Best after-school special ever? Pavone's genuine and unusual THAT'S WHAT I AM

Comparing a movie to an after-school special generally means something derogatory. Not in this case. Not at all. For writer/-director Michael Pavone has given us a coming-of-age, junior-high-school story that's rare in lots of ways. It's the first really good film, one for which no excuses need be made, from the WWE; it has a cast -- Ed Harris, Amy Madigan, Molly Parker plus a group of remarkably gifted unknowns and even a WWE superstar (Randy Orton) who proves quite a good actor -- of which any movie would be proud to boast; and best of all, it handles coming-of-age and all the complexities of the adult and teenage worlds with remarkable depth, understanding, generosity and tact. In short, it's an important film that will undoubtedly -- due to its provenance (particularly, I fear, that WWE connection) -- get lost in the hustle and bustle of the mainstream mix.

In THAT'S WHAT I AM (one might wish for a better title, actually), Mr. Pavone, shown at right, explores a number of major subjects -- bullying, parenting, homosexuality, first love, the outsider, dignity, tolerance, creativity -- but in interesting, off-kilter ways that allows to see all of them with surprising freshness and grace. Consistently interesting and entertaining, the movie is fun, yet it's always about something. And something important.

Pavone is especially adept at weaving all his themes together so that one does not seem any more important than another -- and all connect to the what is basically a terrific coming-of-age tale. The filmmaker and his casting crew -- Denise Chamian, Elizabeth Coulon and Ania Kamieniecki-O'Hare -- have managed to fill every role with splendid performers.  Harris, Madigan and Parker are expectedly great, but so are all the young people in the mix.  Chase Ellison (above, right) and Mia Rose Frampton (above, left) are lovely as, respectively, our designated "hero" and his first love (Ms Frampton brings a particularly saucy, knowing generosity to the proceedings).

Even the prime bully at school, played by Jordan Reynolds (above, standing over Mr Ellison), is given more  character than is usual.

But it is the "outsider," the boy who, no matter what, simply cannot fit in, that seals the deal.  He is played by first-timer Alexander Walters, who gives one of the most indelible performers ever seen in a kids-growing-up movie.  And he does this with nary a cliché in sight (there couldn't be: The character and the actor are simply too unusual). Who The Big G (as he is known) actually is, and why he does what he does, is a kind of mystery that Pavone smartly allows to be only partially solved (sort of like the human character in all its variety and fascination). And Mr. Walters, whom I dearly hope we shall see again soon, is a marvel in the role. He personifies the dignity that is so much a part of this wonderful film.

The filmmaker thankfully resists every opportunity to smooth things over and show us that all's right with the world. Neither does he make the place unduly dark. Instead, it's one of change and -- we hope -- growth.  Interestingly, the WWE star Orton (shown above, left, with Ms Madigan) takes on the darkest role in the movie and does a fine job of bringing it to life. Even here, Pavone lets us see that the attitudes expressed are not at all far afield from reality then (the film takes place in the 1960s) and probably only a small step or two from it now.

Mr Harris (above) is simply wonderful as the teacher everyone loves but no one can help (you'd hardly recognize him here from his great work in The Way Back, which is out on DVD this month), and Ms Parker, as the Ellison's character's mom, is warm and real, gracious and graceful. The movie ends with one of my favorite songs of all time on the soundtrack -- one that is as timely now as when it was written decades ago: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's Teach Your Children. What a pleasure to hear the song again, and in this particular movie -- which should be shown in every classroom in the country.

For now, That's What I Am is opening across the country in a very limited run that begin this Friday, April 29. In New York City you can see it at the Quad Cinema. Click here to get the listing of other cities and theaters.

KNUCKLEHEAD -- another WWE-produced, family-aimed movie -- arrives in theaters

Are any of you film fans old enough to recall Red Skelton? The comedian, from the early days of television who also made some very popular movies in his time (the 1940s and 50s), was a goofy, silly, funny guy, who especially appealed to kids (and to adults with perhaps more childlike tastes). Watching KNUCKLEHEAD, the latest in the new pack of films (the recent Legendary was another) from the WWE, I couldn't help but think of "Red" and how, as a child, I'd laughed myself silly at his antics. While I didn't laugh myself into oblivion at Knucklehead (too old and jaded for that, folks), the movie did put a smile on my face more often than I might have expected.

Its star, Paul "The Big Show" Wight (a fellow of whom I had never previously heard, since I never watch wrestling), is cer-tainly no Skelton. He possesses neither the knockabout physical abilities nor the crack timing of the comedian. Yet Wight (shown at right, with one of his co-stars, Melora Hardin) is quite able to communicate sweetness and charm (as well as a certain endearing dunce-like quality) beneath his huge exterior, and these go a long way toward making the movie work better than one might imagine. And what exactly is that movie? How about Oliver Twist meets Sister Act in the prize-fight/wrestling arena? Like some of the old Skelton films (The Fuller Brush Man, for instance), it combines several genres: comedy, thriller, heartwarming family fun, a road trip and -- of course -- wrestling.

Knucklehead's story begins in an about-to-be-closed-down orphan's home, run by stern nun (Wendie Malick, left) and her assistant Ms. Hardin, for whom works our "hero" as the home's handyman. Into this venue appears inveterate gambler and prize-fight promoter (Mark Feuerstein), running from his debt to nasty mob boss (Dennis Farina), and who needs a fighter to fill in for his recently knocked-out contestant.  Feuerstein bumps into Wight, and the rest, as they say, is... cliché. Some clichés, however, are more fun than others, and the movie thankfully provides these. Its pro cast seems to understand that it is not involved in making a new Citizen Kane, and so the actors throw themselves into the silliness with appropriate relish.

Ms Hardin -- an actress I've loved since seeing her in one of the great (and unreleased threatrically) romantic comedies of the decade past, Seven Girlfriends (catch that on DVD or TV when you can) -- is lovely, as usual, and she's abetted well by Feuerstein (in shades, above), who combines his con-man exterior with enough charm and sex appeal to capably fill the leading-man role. Malick is appropriately surface-mean/kindness beneath, and Wight is generally a delight as the the knucklehead of the title who becomes a fab fighter in no time flat.

Ten-year-old boys are probably the movie's main target, and they'll love the various "fight" scenes, such as the one above -- with a bear.  But parents who accompany them to the theater may find themselves chuckling along with it all, too, as there's enough of those fights (plus Wight and some other well-known wrestlers) on display to please dad. For mom, there's a surprising amount of "love interest" here: the Hardin/Feuerstein off-and-on romance, and Knucklhead himself manages a lovely little relationship with the sweet and funny Rebecca Creskoff -- advice about which he gets from Ms Hardin, below.

Over all, this cast of pros, under the guidance of director Michael W. Watkins (shown at right: coincidence: TrustMovies covered Watkins' earlier horror film Circle just two days ago), turns this wrestling/road trip/romance/fart-and-poop-fest into surprising comedic fun. The movie, released by Samuel Goldwyn Films, open Friday, more or less nationwide -- for weekend/daytime showings only (Is this a family film, or what!) You can find the locations, including the Quad Cinema in NYC, here.

Photos (excepting the one of Mr Watkins, at right) are from the film itself, courtesy of Van Redin/WWE Studios.

The WWE's LEGENDARY pairs Cena and Clarkson and proves a pretty good movie

It's been awhile since the theatrical screen was treated to a decent look at adolescent wrestling (remember Take Down, the movie that put Lorenzo Lamas on the map?). While we view countless films about adolescents wrestling with love, sex, school and parents, seeing them actually wrestling with each other in competition -- and having this provide one of the motivating forces for the film at hand -- is relatively unusual.

Furthermore, to have seen LEGENDARY, the new movie from WWE Studios (that's World Wrestling Entertainment, for the uninitiated like TrustMovies) at a press screening immediately prior to seeing The Extra Man proved an enlightening experience.  Expecting to revel in the latter movie and to dutifully sit through the former (because a favorite of mine, Patricia Clarkson, was one of the stars), instead, I actually found myself enjoying the unpretentious pleasures of the wrestling movie and dutifully enduring the misfires of the much more sophisticated but problematic Extra Man.

Directed proficiently by television veteran Mel Damski (shown at right) and written competently by John Posey (a TV actor whose first screen-writing gig this appears to be), Legendary boasts a surprisingly good cast.  This includes, in addition to Ms Clarkson and an underused Danny Glover, some nods to the younger set -- the teenage Dexter, Devon Graye; Californication's Madeleine Martin; and Tyler Posey, from Lincoln Heights and Brothers & Sisters, who is also the son of the screenwriter -- and a big nod, of course, to the wrestling crowd in the person of champion wrestler turned actor and hip hop musician: John Cena (shown below).

As good as Ms Clarkson is (as usual, she's very good), Mr. Cena proves the real star of the show. After two tries at would-be (PG-13) violent action heroics -- The Marine and 12 Rounds -- that didn't pay off critically or at the box-office, it may be that a good "family" film like Legendary is the beefy fellow's real métier. Though this guy is clearly a disciple of the less-is-more school of acting, unlike master practitioner Clint Eastwood -- who appears to believe that, regarding acting, if less-is-more, then nothing is best of all -- Cena actually allows some feelings, however haltingly and angrily, to come through.  I wouldn't be surprised to learn that director Damski had coached Cena in a such a way that the wrestler/actor's attempts to try to act were then used in the very scenes in which his character must open up and express a different side of himself. However it happened, the result works. Whether he's beating up some blow-hard in a bar, or having a dramatic scene with Clarkson, who plays his mom, or Graye, who essays his younger brother, the guy is always believable and sometimes even quietly moving.

The plot begins with the bullying of the Graye character (above, left, with Tyler Posey) and then moves to the story of his family -- mom (Clarkson, shown at bottom) and an estranged and in-and-out-of-prison older brother (Cena) -- all still reeling from the sudden death, years earlier, of its wrestling champ patriarch. Also involved are a local girl (Ms Martin, below) whose unrequited crush on Graye has led her into some slutty activities and the somehow involved solitary man (Glover) who pops up at odd times and whose identity eventually comes clear (this is the sub-plot least well-handled by the filmmakers).

To the film's credit, it covers subjects like sex, drugs, bullying and the like with a clearer eye and mind than have some "family" films, and its view of the importance of winning, while not particularly original, is still welcome in these dumbed-down times of all-or-nothing philosophy and behavior.

Well-cast and acted better than you'll expect, Legendary, despite (or maybe because of) its television provenance, proves fine family entertainment that's packed with heart and intelligence. Call it a Take Down for the 21st Century.

The movie opens all over the country this Friday, September 10. Click the film's website and then scroll down and click on TICKETS & THEATERS to see a list of the many cities and movie houses in which you'll find it. (In New York City, the 107-minute film plays at the Clearview First & 62nd 7).