Film Review

Kim Rutledge

Based on a children’s novel by Phillipa Pearce, “Tom’s Midnight Garden”

explores the wonders of magic and childhood innocence.

Young Tom (Anthony Way) is quarantined from his brother and sent to stay

with his aunt and uncle in the city one summer. At first, he is restless

and bored without playmates or a garden in their flat.

But one night when Tom can’t sleep, he hears the landlady’s old

grandfather clock downstairs strike 13 times at midnight. When he goes

downstairs to explore the mysterious chiming, Tom finds the house filled

with different decor and the dank alley behind the house transformed into

a lush garden. As he explores the unusual setting, he also discovers a

new friend, Hatty.

Each night for the rest of his stay, Tom escapes to the garden and a

world of fun, fantasy and even a few secrets.

Director Willard Carroll (“Playing by Heart”) creates a fantasy world

using terrific special effects, which is fun for children and adults

alike.

* “Tom’s Midnight Garden” screens at 11 a.m. Sunday at Edwards Island 7

Cinemas.