Such a frustrating disappointment

Fresh and Exciting

A lot of perfectly good film show their cards early, establish a unique premise and let the audience explore a topic at a leisurely pace, without much in terms of surprise. this film is not one of those films.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

I am a mother and I am all about teaching my child to see in others what is beyond the surface, but this movie was vapid and naive. The story line was old, weak and the dialogue was not well written. The characters were shallow and stereotyped, such as an old lonely woman reaching out to a troubled 'orphaned' teen. The dialogue did not allow for the characters to build a decent rapport, but everything 'clicked' with the characters accordingly. Even the pastor and his wife acted typical to what you would find in this type of story line. It was very predictable and frankly it was boring. I would never suggest this movie to my friends. If a person wants a heart warming movie about helping others in need and learning to see people for who they are on the inside I would suggest 'Rigoletto' a 1993 film for children.

Arthur Allan Seidelman has worked extensively on television. This film, adapted from a good novel by Clyde Edgerton, with a screen play by Paul Tomasy, looks as though made expressly for the small screen as it has that certain look of well intentioned movies that usually turn up on Lifetime, or are made into a Hallmark special feature.The main attraction for watching the movie is the casting put together for the project. Ellen Burstyn, a wonderful actress is Mattie Rigsbee, an older woman living by herself in a small community in the South. This well intentioned lady decides, after hearing her pastor read some bible passages, that she will bring food to one boy in a juvenile detention camp in her area. That's how she gets to meet Wesley, a boy that knows his way around the system.The relationship between Mattie and the young man, is in sharp contrast with the one Mattie and her own adult children have. Mattie's son lives by himself; her daughter wants to send her mother to a 'retirement home', instead of helping her. That aspect of the novel doesn't come across too well in the film, which concentrates in Mattie and Wesley.Ellen Bursyn's Mattie is the best thing in the film. Since she has been so isolated from the rest of the community, she is not wise enough to realize the possible danger in welcoming Wesley to stay with her when he turns up at her door. It's obvious that her kindness transforms Wesley, who for the first time is shown genuine affection.Jonathan Taylor Thomas makes a good appearance in the film. Edward Herrman, Dana Ivey, Herve Pernell, Gwen Verdon, Judge Reinhold, Gail O'Grady and Mark Hamill are seen in supportive roles."Walking Across Egypt" is a heart warming tale about filling the generation gap between Mattie and Wesley with love.

Everything is so real in this movie that you forget your viewer role and become part of the little town and the lives of the generous widow and the young man in the correction center. This movie teaches us a lesson about being a true Christian and help others. It leaves us a message of hope and understanding. Ellen Burstyn is a great actress and she deserves an Oscar for her fantastic performance. Walking Across Egypt is a movie to be seen with your heart.

"Walking Across Egypt" is a decent, watchable movie--but there's nothing groundbreaking here. Burstyn is very believable as a conservative, yet unshakeable elderly woman who takes in a young, misunderstood juvenile escapee. The storyline and characters are completely predictable from the outset. But at the same time, they're engaging enough to make the movie worth sitting through. And, yes, that really is Mark Hamill--you might not recognize him.