"Tim" is possibly the most unknown and under-rated of all the films Mel Gibson has done. It is certainly one of the best and proved, quite early in his career, that he knows his craft very well and is well able to carry off a challenging role to perfection. The title character, Tim, is seeking to know the adult world around him without an adults' understanding of the subtilties of life. Mel Gibson plays the part to perfection, neither feeling sorry for himself nor being so crass as to portray this child/man as "cute and silly". He is simple, "Not the full quid", as Tim puts it. But he feels all of an adults needs and finds the person to explain life to him in a way he can understand. Piper Laurie, as Mary, becomes the most important person in Tim's life; and she plays the role with a kindness and compassion usually not seen in today's actors. This film is a must for anyone concerned with raising and educating a child with the challenge of a mental handicap. One could hope that Mel will do more movies of this type, with the love and understanding and true actor's ability he shows in this, his second movie.
