Toto Le Heros (1990)
Directed by Jaco Van Dormael
Genres - Comedy, Fantasy |
Sub-Genres - Childhood Drama, Tragi-comedy |
Release Date - May 16, 1991 (USA - Unknown) |
Run Time - 87 min. |
Countries - Belgium, Germany, France |
MPAA Rating - PG13
Share on
Synopsis by Hal Erickson
Former circus performer Jaco Van Dormael made his feature-film directing bow with the Belgian/French/German coproduction Toto Le Héros. The title character is an fictional supersecret agent, idolized by a young boy named Thomas. The lad aspires to become Toto when he grows up; but thanks to a kaleidoscope of flashbacks and flashforwards, we know that he'll end up ordinary and unfulfilled. The film hopscotches between the Three Ages of Thomas: wide-eyed youngster, mediocrity-mired adult, bitter old man. The elder Thomas has never gotten over his childhood traumas and hatreds. He was always jealous of his wealthy boyhood friend Alfred, fantasizing that he and his chum were switched at birth. At the end, the aged Thomas escapes from a senior citizens' home -- an act which leads to Fate dealing its final ironic blow.
Characteristics
Moods
Keywords
aging, childhood, childhood-adventures, courage, destiny, family, fantasy, identity-switch, mistaken-identity, resentment, rival, switched-at-birth, child, fire, Germany, life, lost, man, neighbor, plans, secrets, show, time
Attributes
High Artistic Quality, Sleeper
