AllMovie

From a certain perspective, this film about the evils of forcing a child prodigy into a regimen of mental and physical improvement may unwittingly be somewhat hypocritical. Little six-year-old Pavlik is on a steady diet of music, chemistry, astronomy, judo, and natural foods so his parents can assure themselves that he will be fully developed mentally and physically. But when Pavlik stays with Granny, she lets him eat whatever he wants and although he really likes that novel idea, his parents fume at the grandmother for her carelessness. That tactic catalyzes Pavlik into running away - though fortunately he is sheltered by a new 17-year-old friend who tries to think of a way to get him back home. Before that can be figured out, Pavlik appears on a television show and knocks everyone flat because he can recite Shakespeare. His parents see him in his moment of fame and triumph, his friend sees him, everyone is proud, and of course, the scene also illustrates that Pavlik's mental abilities are what really counts.