Flowers for Algernon
Shiratori Sakuto is 28, but has the intelligence of a 6-year-old boy. He works for Dream Flower Service, a flower distribution centre which provides employment for problem youth. One day, he and a colleague, Yanagawa Ryuichi, delivers a rose bouquet to the apartment building where Mochizuki Haruka lives. Because Haruka does not know that the deliveryman is mentally challenged, she is shocked by his response and tries to call the police. Haruka works for a brain physiology research centre where Professor Hachisuka Daigo has been studying the improvement of mental performance. He has succeeded in lab experiments on a white mouse called Algernon. Sakuto is transformed into a genius through surgery. But Algernon's new intelligence begins to fade, and he dies. Sakuto realises that his genius, too, is destined to leave him.
Insights
Plot Summary
A remake of the classic story, this film follows Charlie Gordon, a man with an intellectual disability who undergoes an experimental surgical procedure that dramatically increases his intelligence. As his intellect grows, he grapples with new emotions and the realization that the procedure may be temporary and that the same fate might befall the lab mouse, Algernon, who underwent the procedure before him.
Critical Reception
The 2015 adaptation of 'Flowers for Algernon' received a largely mixed to negative reception from critics, with many finding it unable to capture the emotional depth and nuance of the original story and previous adaptations. While some appreciated the performances, particularly Edward Furlong's portrayal of Charlie Gordon, the film was often criticized for its pacing, underdeveloped character arcs, and a less impactful exploration of the ethical and emotional themes.
What Reviewers Say
- While Edward Furlong's performance was noted, the film struggled to match the emotional resonance of its source material.
- Criticism often pointed to pacing issues and a lack of depth in exploring the complex themes.
- The adaptation was generally considered less impactful than earlier versions.
Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for this film is not readily available.
Fun Fact
This 2015 film is one of several adaptations of Daniel Keyes's 1959 short story, which was later expanded into the 1966 novel of the same name.
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