Harrison Bergeron is an amazing little 1995 made-for-television film that is underrated and deserves some more respect. I came across it one day and thought it sounded interesting... it was beyond exceptional, especially for a TV movie.
Harrison lives in a society where every person is equal... right down to their intelligence, brain functions, ideas and activities. The society, an alternate version of the United States, is styled to look like the 1950's (apparently because everybody appeared happy in the 1950's), although the film takes place in the 21st century. Harrison objects to corrective brain surgery that will reduce his intelligence (basically a lobotomy to shut him up). His doctor recommends he go to an illegal secret club for smart people who have intelligent conversations in secret. He meets Phillipa, a girl talented at playing chess, who, during a police infiltration, has him whisked away with her to a corrupt government of intelligent people who have good intentions but end up creating a bad situation.
The acting was amazing, and it was great to see actors Marc Marut, Marilyn Smith and John Friesen from my favorite childhood movie (TV movie Goosebumps Welcome to Dead House) together in a movie again. The story was compelling, similar to Soylent Green (1973) and Parents (1989). The soundtrack was classic nineties TV movie soundtrack. This movie showcases some of the musicians, activists, filmmakers and authors of the 20th century that this fictional society had forgotten or just never been exposed to. It also shows that there can be no equality with the human race but that it's our differences that should make everyone respect and care about each other, equal or not. It's certainly worth watching, I honestly think everybody should view it at least one time.
Harrison lives in a society where every person is equal... right down to their intelligence, brain functions, ideas and activities. The society, an alternate version of the United States, is styled to look like the 1950's (apparently because everybody appeared happy in the 1950's), although the film takes place in the 21st century. Harrison objects to corrective brain surgery that will reduce his intelligence (basically a lobotomy to shut him up). His doctor recommends he go to an illegal secret club for smart people who have intelligent conversations in secret. He meets Phillipa, a girl talented at playing chess, who, during a police infiltration, has him whisked away with her to a corrupt government of intelligent people who have good intentions but end up creating a bad situation.
The acting was amazing, and it was great to see actors Marc Marut, Marilyn Smith and John Friesen from my favorite childhood movie (TV movie Goosebumps Welcome to Dead House) together in a movie again. The story was compelling, similar to Soylent Green (1973) and Parents (1989). The soundtrack was classic nineties TV movie soundtrack. This movie showcases some of the musicians, activists, filmmakers and authors of the 20th century that this fictional society had forgotten or just never been exposed to. It also shows that there can be no equality with the human race but that it's our differences that should make everyone respect and care about each other, equal or not. It's certainly worth watching, I honestly think everybody should view it at least one time.