Harrison Bergeron is an amazing little 1995 made-for-television film that is underrated and deserves some more respect. I came across it one day and thought it sounded interesting... it was beyond exceptional, especially for a TV movie.Harrison lives in a society where every person is equal... right down to their intelligence, brain functions, ideas and activities. The society, an alternate version of the United States, is styled to look like the 1950's (apparently because everybody appeared happy in the 1950's), although the film takes place in the 21st century. Harrison objects to corrective brain surgery that will reduce his intelligence (basically a lobotomy to shut him up). His doctor recommends he go to an illegal secret club for smart people who have intelligent conversations in secret. He meets Phillipa, a girl talented at playing chess, who, during a police infiltration, has him whisked away with her to a corrupt government of intelligent people who have good intentions but end up creating a bad situation.The acting was amazing, and it was great to see actors Marc Marut, Marilyn Smith and John Friesen from my favorite childhood movie (TV movie Goosebumps Welcome to Dead House) together in a movie again. The story was compelling, similar to Soylent Green (1973) and Parents (1989). The soundtrack was classic nineties TV movie soundtrack. This movie showcases some of the musicians, activists, filmmakers and authors of the 20th century that this fictional society had forgotten or just never been exposed to. It also shows that there can be no equality with the human race but that it's our differences that should make everyone respect and care about each other, equal or not. It's certainly worth watching, I honestly think everybody should view it at least one time.

Bruce Pittman's intelligent and modest TV adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's short story is a wonderful and much under-appreciated piece of high sci-fi. Films of this kind are rarely made, simply because there's not much potential audience for low-budget science fiction - most people are in sci-fi mainly for special effects and impressive battles. Harrison Bergeron, though, is one of those few adaptations made of real philosophical sci-fi, the kind that creates an image of the future as a reflection of our own reality. And it succeeds quite well in delivering its message, and for what it is it could be enjoyed by almost everyone - though I doubt it could have done well in the theaters.The film revolves around two wonderful lead actors - one is Sean Astin, who recently gained success and fame as Sam Gamgee in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy. The other is the wonderful British actor Christopher Plummer, remembered by sci-fi buffs as the Klingon General Chang from Star Trek 6: The Undiscovered Country. Brilliant comedian Eugene Levy gives an eerily funny performance as the President. The story is of a future America in which equality is achieved by discouraging exceptional talent or intelligence and creating forced mediocrity. Harrison (Sean Astin) is one of the exceptional few whose intelligence surfaces despite the government's best efforts and is therefore given the chance to work for the government. There he discovers the timeless Orwellian truth of Fascist regimes - all are equal, but some are more equal than others. Astin's interplay with Clummer (the classic 'Big Brother') is wonderful, and the ending is beautiful. The script does an excellent job of expanding Vonnegut's very short story into a 100 minute film.Harrison Bergeron is well worth watching - if you can get your hands on it. As far as I know there isn't a DVD available, but the VHS can be ordered on Amazon and the movie plays occasionally on television. If you're interested in science fiction literature of authors like Vonnegut, Philip K. Dick, or Isaac Asimov, this wonderful little think-piece is a good purchase.

Harrison B. is a delightfully witty commentary on the constraints placed on the common man by government and sociological ideals. This movie is for the thinking viewer as well as an enjoyable flick to veg out on. Appeals to everyone. The kind of movie that will have you thinking and talking about it days and weeks later. The excellent character development will leave you feeling very understood and perhaps somewhat paranoid. It is an excellent movie with an outstanding performance by Sean Astin. The turmoil Harrison endures as he realizes his life has been one of blind acceptance of the propaganda perpetrated by the 'controllers' is a very profound message. His agony over the truth of what mankind has inflicted upon each other is a lesson well learned by all.

I just saw this last night on the local late night movie. I'm not much of a Sean Astin fan, but in this film, he fits. The basic plot (spoilers ahead) - it's the not too distant future. The United States has had a second revolutionary war due to a major recession and huge unemployment (starting to sound familiar?!). The powers-that-be determine that everyone will be happier if they are all of the same intelligence, own the same things, live the same lives, etc. So, they develop a kind of headset that monitors and controls everyones' brain waves - keeping everyone kind of dumb and happy, although they don't really know why. Astin plays the title character, who turns out to be smarter than everyone else, and no amount of tinkering with his headset will tamp down his intelligence. Through various plot developments, he hooks up with a kind of shadow government, composed of other smart people that determine what the people see, who governs them, etc. At first, Astin seems to enjoy being a part of this group. He develops a relationship with a woman, works in the television programming department, and begins to fit in. Soon, though, he understands the consequences of allowing the so-called "smart people" to govern the "average" (think political correctness, fascism, and other "isms" of today!). A couple of plot twists at the end that give you something to think about; and suddenly what seems like it might be a boring made-for-cable movie turns into a relevant film for the political events of today's America. After seeing this movie, you might actually believe Eugene Levy could play George Bush in a biography! 7.5 out of 10 stars.