"The Last Brickmaker in America" is Sidney Poitier's final credit. It's a made for TV film...like several of his later appearanced. In all these later films, there is a likable 'slowness'...a leisurely pace and style that is very attractive.
The plot to this film is highly reminscent of "Free Willy"...and I am one of the few people who disliked this family film (I thought the kid was just too annoying and awfu). Fortunately, in "The Last Brickmaker", this isn't such an issue...and having Poitier there does a lot to improve the story.
The story begins with a bitter kid, Danny (Cody Newton), vandalizing his school. It turns out this is NOT a new behavior and after many similar instances, Danny is suspended. At the same time, Mr. Cobb (Poitier) is struggling. He has a contract to make and deliver handmade bricks for a construction project but he's in his 70s and is having trouble honoring his contract. It happens that Cody's father is in charge of the project and eventually he and Cobb work out a deal...to have Cody help make the bricks. That way, Cody learns responsibility and the importance of hard work....and Cobb is able to get those bricks made.
If you haven't seen "Free Willy", this film also has a troubled kid who begins the story by committing vandalism. And, like this punk, Cody learns the importance of caring about something other than his anger and resentment. But instead of a magical whale, there is a relationship between Cody and Mr. Cobb...which makes a lot more sense.
Overall, a very nice bookend to Poitier's long career.
The plot to this film is highly reminscent of "Free Willy"...and I am one of the few people who disliked this family film (I thought the kid was just too annoying and awfu). Fortunately, in "The Last Brickmaker", this isn't such an issue...and having Poitier there does a lot to improve the story.
The story begins with a bitter kid, Danny (Cody Newton), vandalizing his school. It turns out this is NOT a new behavior and after many similar instances, Danny is suspended. At the same time, Mr. Cobb (Poitier) is struggling. He has a contract to make and deliver handmade bricks for a construction project but he's in his 70s and is having trouble honoring his contract. It happens that Cody's father is in charge of the project and eventually he and Cobb work out a deal...to have Cody help make the bricks. That way, Cody learns responsibility and the importance of hard work....and Cobb is able to get those bricks made.
If you haven't seen "Free Willy", this film also has a troubled kid who begins the story by committing vandalism. And, like this punk, Cody learns the importance of caring about something other than his anger and resentment. But instead of a magical whale, there is a relationship between Cody and Mr. Cobb...which makes a lot more sense.
Overall, a very nice bookend to Poitier's long career.