知的障害を患う青年チャーリーは、脳手術によって一般人を上回る知能を身につけた。そして実験用のネズミ、アルジャーノンと仲よしになる。だがある日チャーリーは、彼と同様の手術を施されたアルジャーノンの死を目撃してしまう。恐怖に駆られたチャーリーは、手術前の状態に戻ることを希望するが……。原作はダニエル・キイスの小説『アルジャーノンに花束を』。
AIが作品の魅力を深く読み解いています
製作費: $950,000 (1億円)
興行収入: $814,666 (1億円)
推定収支: $-135,334 (-0億円)
※製作費・興行収入はTMDBのデータを参照しています。収支は(興行収入 - 製作費)で算出したFindKey独自の推定値であり、広告宣伝費や諸経費は含まれません (1ドル=150円換算)。
監督: Ralph Nelson
脚本: Stirling Silliphant / ダニエル・キイス
音楽: Ravi Shankar
制作: Selig J. Seligman / Ralph Nelson
撮影監督: Arthur J. Ornitz
Cliff Robertson is at the top of his game as the eponymous character who has learning difficulties. He has been attending night classes under "Dr. Kilman" (Claire Bloom) for almost two years, determined to improve his reading and writing, and it is she who thinks it might be possible to get him onto a scientifically-backed course that could ultimately result in profoundly correctional surgery. He has to struggle and work hard - often trying to outfox a genetically altered mouse - to convince "Dr. Straus" (Lilia Skala) and "Dr. Nemur" (Leon Janney) that he is suitable - and that's whilst, meantime, holding down a job at a bakery where his colleagues are not averse to rather cruel and thoughtless practical jokes. Eventually, he prevails but is what emerges from the surgery really sustainable? This is one of those stories where the underlying morals seeking conformity and acceptance are merged with the promise of largely unfettered scientific advances that pay scant regard to any broader or future ramifications of their progress. It's a bit of a slow start, but an effective chemistry gradually develops between "Charly" and his doctor as the ethics start to kick in and we all begin to wonder if (or not) this engaging character is on the right path. It's quite thought provoking at times and the dialogue and direction provide a film that offers us choices - it's not just black and white judgement or analysis. Not always an easy film to watch, but worth it, I'd say.
