Mr. Harrigan's Phone

I watched "Mr. Harrigan's Phone" on Netflix last night. It is based on the short story of the same name by Stephen King. It is about a young man (Jaeden Martell) recruited by a billionaire (Donald Sutherland) to read to the old man since the man's eyesight is failing. Of course, since this is a Stephen King novel, there is a mystery involved with a hint of horror. But the main part of the story is the development of respect and friendship between the old man and the young man. It is very well acted by the two leads and is definitely worth a look. Some horror fans were disappointed by the lack of gore, but to me that is not the point of the story. Check it out for yourself and see if you agree. 7/10.

I found Mr. Harrigan's Phone unique. Modern psychological drama; tech horror, I guess. At first, you are guided through very slow-paced storytelling about Craig and his relationship with Mr. Harrigan. This part of the plot is character development. After a turning point near the last third of the story, the horror sets in. Although Steven King wrote the original short story, this is not a horror movie, even though the movie tries to keep the horror tone throughout its whole length. This movie is about character development and knowing how to deal with death and hard times. I find this movie to be a worthy adaptation of the short story. However, the story itself is probably not King's best.

Not a horror. I sure know what an horror is and this is surely not one. Not even close. This makes me thinking about how do you get into wanting to watch a movie. Two ways: either someone told you the movie is good, or the short intro about the movie (or trailer) is very enticing. It is the latter. Not every filmmakers always want to make a masterpiece anyway. You know what it is they want. Reading the short story feels like reading a coming-of-age story. And the little bit supernatural parts just plots to keep that coming-of-age story going. That story are too long, it's like preparing you for a novel, but of course it isn't. I know you're wondering about the difference between the book and the movie. There's no difference. Same progression, from how the kid making connection with the old billionaire, until his demise, but somehow still powerfully have a super ability from no obvious reason. Almost like a modern parable. Man, how flexible is an horror genre. To just turn into a moral one.

It s a delight to watch Donald Sutherland perform. This movie is Classified as a horror but, not because it has given us jump scares, ghosts, or horrifying scenes but to what would happen if death made contact with the living. It is a horrific thought. It is a simple film based on Stephen King's short story, but overall well acted by Sutherland and the newcomer Jaeden Martell; this young man can act, beautiful chemistry between Sutherland and Martell. Excellent screenplay and direction for John Lee Hancock. I had a good time watching this film and, overall, seeing the performances of Martell and Sutherland.