Alan Arkin gives a deeply felt performance here as a deaf mute who moves to a small southern town to be near a similarly affected friend who has been put in a nearby institution. Taking a room in a family home, he has a positive effect on the lives around him but does not cure his own loneliness. This is a brave attempt to bring Carson McCullers' moving and sensitive book to the screen. Brave, but not entirely successful, as most of the characters, save for Arkin's, are too thinly sketched. His performance is the force that moves the story and makes it worth watching. Making their debut appearances are Stacy Keach (billed as Stacy Keach Jr) and Sondra Locke, who contributes one of her most touching portrayals.


©ipc tx. Film content from TVTimes