The Cure

(contains spoilers)'The Cure', from 1995, was Joseph Mazzello's next major non TV role after 'The River Wild'. Brad Renfro also features in this his second major role, the first one of which was 'The Client'.These days of course both actors are now in their 20s so this is the young Joe Mazzello and young Brad Renfro we're discussing :) The Cure is one of Joseph Mazzello's finest roles along with his performance in Jurassic Park but of course everybody does a superb job with this film.There are no fancy visual effects or major stunts in this film, just a simple straight story of two boys, Dexter, who has AIDS, and Erik. They befriend each other through the garden fence and "hang out" a lot. Erik takes advantage of Dexter initially but the pair bond well on screen (even though Joseph and Brad didn't get along together off-screen). They eventually decide to travel to New Orleans after reading a tabloid article about a doctor who claims to have found a cure for AIDS. They meet colourful characters on the way but never reach New Orleans, instead Dexter's health takes a turn for the worse forcing Erik to take him back home. Sadly, Dexter dies from his illness but it opens up some really heartfelt scenes towards the movie's end which make the previous 90mins or so very heartwarming.A very well recommended film that is not just worthy of rental; it's worthy of a place in your video collection. Joe & Brad both carry the film very well, Joseph Mazzello was, and still is, a very natural actor even at this young age. If you never rent/import anything else ever, do it for this movie, an all-time underrated classic movie. I've only had it three weeks and I've watched it four times already :) Rating: 5 out of 5.

As advertised

I really enjoyed watching this film, "The Cure." The acting was very good, especially Brad Renfro ("The Client" "Tom and Huck") as Erik and Joseph Mazzello ("Jurassic Park" "Simon Birch") as Dexter. However, all the major actors and actresses played their parts well.The film was not cheezy. There were a few scenes I think were overdone, (ex: riding a shopping card down a very steep hill) and one or two that were non sequitur, but I won't complain too much. Compared with many U.S. films created since 1990, this film actually makes some sense.The theme of the film was remarkably well-conveyed, the friendship developed between Dexter and Erik heartwarminging, and use of symbols (esp. Erik's shoe) fairly creative.I don't want to give away any scenes in the major plot. However, I think this film is certainly one that children and adults alike can both enjoy (although the language of a few scenes might worry some conservative parents).More importantly, the film does not preach yet conveys a few major ideas that some people (especially teenagers) back in 1995 might not have been certain about.1. AIDS is not transferable through the air (i.e. it is not like smallpox or even the common cold but rather much more like tetnus - except with no cure or preventative shot).2. Anyone can contract AIDS, including children through blood transfusions with contaminated blood.3. People with AIDS, like anyone else, still are people and still have feelings, including the desire to have friends.

I never write reviews, but this movie is outstanding. Me and my 2 daughters 10 and 13 watched it 3 times in a row and I cried all 3 times in a row in several parts of the movie. This is as beautiful as the best Disney movie, only much better because it's REAL. So real you can connect directly with the heart of those 2 kids and feel what they are feeling.And Erik's mother is such a sick woman that at the end, you don't know who's the lucky kid or the unlucky one. (i won't spoil it).So sad Brad Renfro (who interprets Erik) had a similar mother in real life that abandoned him when he was 5 and gave him heroin when he was 12. He was a rough sweet kid and a wonderful man. He just passed too much and lived too much at the wrong age and passed away for heroin overdose at 25. RIP. His real story makes you cry as much as the movie.Well, enjoy. It's beautiful and will open your heart.

I remember renting the VHS video of this when I was about 11 years old. I didn't even hear about this movie until I have seen a preview of it when I used to watch "Major Payne" on VHS and that why it made me want to go out and rent this movie. I cried like a baby at the very end. I had bought 2 copies of the DVD. One for my home library, and the other to give to the school my mom used to teach at. I am having 2 DVD-R copies of this movie made just in case it gets lent out and never returned. $2.95 for a movie this old on Amazon.com is not bad at all. The song "My Great Escape" by Marc Cohn is so beautiful that I wish that there was a soundtrack to this movie. A story about friendship, wisdom, and learning about how to let go of someone you love. I highly recommend it to people who haven't seen this movie yet. But be careful because there might be some scenes and a few foul words in this movie that might not be appropriate for young children. Joseph Mazzello and Brad Renfro are 2 brilliant actors. R.I.P. (Rest in Piece) Mr. Renfro. You Will Be Missed. Peter Smith If you enjoyed this movie, I would also recommend, "The Mighty", and "Simon Birch".

This movie does not deal with homosexuality, but rather a boy that has an illness and has HIV and aids because of it yeah I think was well done and the movie was sad but good.

One movie not to miss out on watching. The value of friendship is in this movie . Being there for each other. What true friendship is all about ! Can watch over and over.

Always loved this. Movie and the actors