Apt Pupil – Review

As A-grade student Todd Bowden (Renfro) sits in history class, the subject matter is the holocaust for the week. It has spoken to him. After school ends, he spends his time devouring more material in the library. On a rainy night home while riding a city bus, Todd sees a man named Kurt Dussander (McKellen) get on and sit behind him, but he notices something in the man.

Time goes by however and Todd gets back into a more normal vibe at school, talking over girls with pal Joey (Jackson) and getting homework done. Then, one day walking home, he notices a paper in a neighbor’s yard. He picks it up to deliver it to… Kurt Dussander at his door, who reluctantly answers after multiple doorbell buzzes. Todd asks to come inside. What the hell is going on?

Todd soon reveals to Mr. Dussander that he has done some research into the past, and thinks that this man may be an ex-Nazi. Todd just really wants to talk to the man… Is this the man that he thinks it is?

Based on a Stephen King short story which is absolutely riveting, this film adaptation is okay, but a step down or two from the source material. That being said, it’s still worth a look and features some well done moments and characterizations. If you haven’t read the short story, you probably have a better shot at liking this version even more! The sure handed director produces a quality picture with a balance between lighter and soft shots and some darker cuts into grittier subject matter.

Apt Pupil dives into some dark territory all around. The two main characters in Todd and Kurt are disturbingly well realized and the psychological nature of the film is the focal point, as it should be. As the story progresses, things get weird and ugly. Part of what makes this film (and the book) creepy is that the characters’ alarming behaviors are realistic to our world. It doesn’t take much for an everyday kid to become obsessed with almost anything.

I know people likely aren’t here to hear about the book versions, but definitely read the short story if you like the movie as it goes to much darker places. The Apt Pupil short story is part of a book collection that includes The Body, which was adapted into the movie ‘Stand by Me,’ as well as Rita Hayworth and The Shawshank Redemption, which was adapted into the movie ‘The Shawshank Redemption.’ It does also include a 4^th story, but that whole book is worth tracking down.

It’s hard to directly compare this film to others due to its blending in genres.