A Child Is Waiting
1963  NR  DRAMA  1h 42min
CAST— Burt Lancaster, Judy Garland, Gena Rowlands, Steven Hill, Bruce Ritchey
MUSIC— Ernest Gold  DIRECTOR— John Cassavetes

     A sensitive and touching drama, this film follows the work of a new teacher at a school for mentally impaired children. Totally unprepared for the new world which awaits her she begins to feel overwhelmed by her new position. Until, that is, she meets a young boy named Reuben who looks upon her as a surrogate mother; soon a friendship and a bond develops between the two. The director of the Institute, however, sees danger ahead and realizes that if she continues to cultivate this maternal bond with Reuben, a rift may soon develop between her and the other students. Yes, she had cracked open Reuben’s solitary shell but the director feels that she’s done it in an unethical way. He soon shows her what may happen to those put in the same situation as the poor boy. The film tends to drag at points, and it’s a bit sentimental, but it is a solid drama with a fine cast including terrific performances from children with disabilities.
OUR RATING— ** ½