Tales from Bledlow Ridge: The Outsider

Matt is the new boy at school and a schoolyard bully keeps him from fitting in, particularly on the soccer playing field. Classmate Amy takes him under her wing, and as they take a shortcut through the woods, the pair stumble across the home of Alf, a mysterious recluse, whom they befriend in the spirit of Christian charity. He turns out to be a former soccer champ and a mutually beneficial partnership is formed. Matt suffers some setbacks but triumphs at a crucial game and winds up with the school trophy, presented by Alf, who reminds him to thank God for his success. Sounds good, doesn't it? A lot of talent, effort and expense went into this beautifully photographed, neatly plotted, charmingly acted story, so I wish I could recommend it to religious education teachers. But hey, I'm a mom and I have serious trouble with a film that unquestionably depicts two unaccompanied youngsters visiting a troubled man, attending to his needs, and pawing through his garbage (he's a diabetic needle user) with only an occasional nod from a visiting nurse. In addition, the film never explains where the hero, with an absentee mom and a workaholic dad, gets his strong Christian values. For all its appeal, this is not recommended. Aud: I, J, P. (J. Reed)