MovieChat Forums > The Last Brickmaker in America (2001) Discussion > Bricks: Drama isn't part of the recipe.

Bricks: Drama isn't part of the recipe.


I am sorry but when I saw this movie on satellite TV in Australia I was intrigued as to how in the world a movie could be made that dramatically ties in bricks and brickmaking into the storyline! It is sad when movie stars can't get jobs in quality movies and have to be cast in these style movies. Quality acting from Poitier maybe, but the subject matter at hand disturbed me. Brick. I kept watching as the predictable storyline was played out by the supporting actors - and my god was I unhappy with the child actor. I was more angry at him for the pathetic script he had to play out. The dramatic moment where the bricks were destroyed by rain saddened me. Why do they waste time with movies like these? I'm sure money could be put into something worthwhile. Maybe we really have ran out of unique storylines that ENTERTAIN.
I was just shocked a movie was made such as this. That is all.

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I would have to disagree. When the boy destroyed some of the bricks with spray paint. The boy was sent help the old mans house to make some more bricks. I think it was the mayor who want to by the bricks from a factory but the old man had the courage to make all those bricks. It helped the boy realize how hard it is to make bricks. The boy got a bond with the brick maker who had made all the bricks in town. If you do not like the movie you don't have to watch it. I would not expect an Australian to understand a movie like this. It really depends on what part of America you are from. I would like to buy the movie but they don't sell it in english. They have it in three different languages.

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I bought the movie on DVD in English. Would you like to have it? Nancy

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I really think you have missed the point It is not about brickmaker, per se. It is about being a person of character and integrity, something the bratty kid did not learn from his parents. By being with Mr cobb, he learned the value of hard work and sticking to a task and self-worth. maybe this is too much to expect of this hedonistic generation, but it is a valuable lesson for all of us. I'm sorry you could not see beyond the devices to the more importtant message of this insporing movie. Try it again, after reading this post and some of the others here. Perhaps you'll come to apprecioate it better.

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As usual, friend Flynn, you are absolutely correct!The bricks are realy the "McGuffin" here. The making of the bricks drive the story but they are not themselves the story. When the first batch of bricks are ruined, rather than giving up, Mr Cobb convinces the boy that they have to try again. You finish the job, whatever the adversities. This is the messages; this is why this is such a great movie!

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You, my friend, are absolutely right. There is a lot in this movie and it's not about the bricks. Some people just don't get the 'subliminal' messages that come along with movies like these. It kinda reminds me of 'Captains Courageous'. There are several more that have slipped my mind at this moment, but they're out there. I personally love this stuff. BTW I just ordered this yesterday, should be getting it soon. Until next time.........

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