The Gingerbread Man ( The Ginger bread Man ) [ NON-USA FORMAT, Blu-Ray, Reg.B Import - Germany ]

THE GINGERBREAD MAN is a curious film. It has a very good premise and surreptitious storyline. However, there are a few things that keep this film from being something much greater.After recently viewing it again, I now see that Kenneth Branagh, the main character, is actually unsympathetic and not all that bright. I think his character is just not clearly defined. He really is a blatant womanizer, but unfortunately that point is not strongly conveyed to the viewer. If it were, that would explain a lot of his behavior and the very poor judgment that he uses for such a high powered attorney that he is playing. He essentially falls for a woman, the wrong woman. That is a key plot point that is never reinforced and it is an essential one. Another, point that I see more clearly now is the credibility of some of the events. For a realistic looking film, these are blatantly obvious. How could a bunch of old vagrants and alcoholics break into a mental institution and rescue their buddy played by Robert Duval? How could someone fire a flare gun in a furious hurricane with driving winds and torrential rain from about 40 feet away and hit a man square in the back and kill him? These elements defy all credibility especially considering the tone of this film.I very much liked this film the first time I saw it and there is a lot to recommend. The plot truly is intriguing and there are many twists and turns. The actors and there performances are very good especially those of Kenneth Branagh, Tom Berenger, Daryl Hannah and Robert Duvall.

Enjoyable, with a surprise ending

I haven't anything to say on the movie as a whole - it's a grade-B thriller, creaky and contrived - but I wanted to add my 2 cents' worth on the phenomenon of Branagh the impersonator. I live in central east Georgia, and it has been my misfortune to spend quite a lot of time in the company of Savannah lawyers; Kenneth Branagh's character in this movie could have slipped into one of those practices like hair into hair oil. The look, the walk, the gestures, the speech - all of it seemed to me perfect. I am not native to Georgia, it's true, but I've lived here for 6 years, and usually accents bother me. Branagh's art - his ear, his technique - is something special.So, if you're interested in him, or in mimicry in general, you will get something out of this over-all low-grade film.

first, let me say that I usually avoid movies based on books I have read and enjoyed. They tend to get lost in the Holywood presentation. That said, this particular movie was a pleasant surprise. I am a huge fan of Branagh's work, but the only other non-Shakespeare film I'd seen of his was "Dead Again" (which I also highly recommend!). I think that he carried off the role of Rick Magruder very well, accent and all. Was the accent perfect? Probably not... particularly to those from the South. But it was spoken well enough, and Branagh's "character presence" was enough to make any slips either unapparent or forgivable. The entire cast did a spectacular job of bringing the characters to life and bringing them together in a believable manner. All in all, a very well put together adaptation of Grisham's work.. possibly the best I've seen yet.

I wonder what this film would have been like had John Grisham published the manuscript that this all was based on. It was an okay film, but it was confusing. I'm still trying to figure out exactly what happened at the end there. Also, why was there the need to have the threat of an oncoming hurricane throughout the film? This film was just confusing. I only knew about half the cast, though they all did their best with what they were given. I can only summarize this film as "confusing". I'll leave the purchasing decision up to you. Enjoy.

The movie starts out slow but gets better. A detective gets involved w/a woman who has a crazy father who was put in a mental hosp and escaped. He kidnaps the detective's kids. It's pretty good.

Before purchasing this movie, I read several reviews and they were so good, I ignored my tiny little voice whispering, no, this isn't what you like. Besides, several of my favorite actors were in it.The little voice was right...BUT...for the sort of movie it is, there are lots of things happiening to keep one's mind twisting and turning and wondering.. I'm glad I watched it, and even gladder that folks who like that sort of thing were really pleased with it.Watching it once was enough for me.

I bought it as a gift for someone who loves that movie.

Kenneth Branagh's performance makes this worth viewing even if it were not good entertainment (which it is). As a former Southerner and actor I am amazed by not just the accuracy of his "old South" accent but the way he incoporates the character's personality into it - I can close my eyes and hear my nephew, who IS a character! He does this better than any American actor (not from the South) does. Bravo Englishman.

John Grisham is a superb author and all of his books that have been turned into films are worth viewing.

Good film, but not worthy of 5 stars. It's a bit slow at times and not a great way for RDJ to spread his acting wings.

i like this film because sonny shroyer from the dukes of hazzard in it

Gripping and fascinating film which is very different from Grisham's court-room dramas. We enjoyed it though it could probably be improved upon..