Haunting and atmospheric cinematography compliment this sad tale of a young black kid, neglected and pushed aside by everyone in his life. Harlem, circa 1948, is the backdrop for the story, and the vintage footage of New York City is reason enough to see this forgotten docudrama. Little Donald spends his days running in the streets, feeling utterly lost, as he observes a world where everyone has a purpose and a place to go and things to do, while he can't figure out why he exists and where he belongs. Even though the film is 70 years old, the subject matter and how it is handled, feels completely current. I can't recall any film that really gets inside the mind of how a child this age feels, and so perfectly conveys it to the audience. I personally felt a strong wave of nostalgia as the movie forced me to recall just how it feels to be that age. Absolute gem of a film, that is valuable on so many levels. It's an amazing time capsule as well as a brilliant study of ghetto life and of growing up without the basic things that all children should have.
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Falconeer29 December 2017
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I felt compelled to write a review for this remarkable film once I realized nobody else had bothered to do so! Even the IMDb bating of 6.7 is baffling. This is a fantastic story that was nominated for several awards...I can only equate the neglect for this beautiful piece of art with the same unfeeling neglect experienced by the child in the movie.
The Quiet One is about Donald, a poor and lonely black child from Harlem. His isolation from the world around him is two-fold--his inability to articulate himself intellectually or emotionally, and the distant treatment he receives from his grandmother, mother, and step- father. Literally, the step-father doesn't even acknowledge the boy's presence. Donald attempts to connect with the people in his life, even going so far as to try to make friends with a couple of rough older boys who rob him of his ill-gotten sweets. He isn't successful. Pain, anger, confusion and loneliness drive Donald to an act that gets him sent away for rehabilitation. Will Donald be able to overcome his emotional traumas and finally connect with others in a meaningful way?
This touching movie is a painful experience and doesn't cop out with a pat Hollywood conclusion, however it is ultimately a rewarding journey. The narration gives it a realistic feel, the locations are fantastic (especially the scenes shot in the city) and the music is appropriately moody. The characters seldom speak, but the acting is nonetheless strong enough to carry the film.