Some kids memorise sports stats from the back of trading cards. Some know the abilities and weaknesses of every superhero. In 1984 Todd Bowden (Brad Renfro) was a huge fan of World War 2, with the Nazi’s being his specialty. More troublingly was his admiration of their beliefs and methods.
Despite there being nearly four decades elapsing since the close of WW2, Todd recognises Dussander (Ian McKellen) on a bus near his American home. After more research than any teen on record, Todd approaches the elderly German man at his home and lays out a laundry list of Dussander’s reprehensible achievements during wartime, before professing his fandom and abruptly blackmailing him into an awkward friendship with threats of unveiling him publicly.
Dussander eventually comes to trust the boy’s evilness, eventually recounting tales of vileness while Todd looks on in awe, almost envy. But the stories aren’t enough for this troubled boy…
Apt Pupil garnered solid reviews upon release, I would venture due to the fact that Nazi’s automatically demand a modicum of awe as subject matter lest they be deemed insensitive. But for mine Apt Pupil is flawed and clumsy, and reliant on coincidences that go far beyond ‘boy recognising Nazi from 40 year old picture on his local bus’. And this is before a ridiculous ending that kills all momentum and shreds credibility in a film that was already asking us to pick a winner from two file and disgusting candidates.
Final Rating – 6.5 / 10. Apt Pupil might be a decent enough student when dealing exclusively with its special subject, but ultimately though as an overall work this ‘teacher’s’ comment would be ‘Needs Improvement’.
