Tim (1979) User Reviews (64)

Not bad....

[tambourine33 · 6/10 · 6 January 2006]

This is one of the better films I have seen starring Mel Gibson. A low budget, Australian film, made in the late seventies, it is a real change from his usual offerings. The basic plot outline (promise I won't spoil! :)) is that Gibson plays the title role of Tim, a 24 year-old man who is slightly mentally retarded. Piper Laurie excels as 'Mary Horton' a successful forty-something widow who takes a romantic interest in Tim, but is unsure if a relationship will work.

The thing that struck me about this movie was it's basic principle. It is not uncommon for rich, forty-something men to be seen with attractive, supposedly less-intelligent women. 'Tim' turns this on its head having a rich, older woman hooking up with an attractive, less intelligent younger man. Society frowns on the latter form relationship, I'm not sure why, and it adds an interesting angle to the story.

The only complaint about the film is the ending. They had such a fantastic idea but the movie just...ends. Loose ends are left and to be honest it seemed tacked on or just plain rushed.

It is a good, heartwarming film with a few weepy bits and one-or-two good ideas not explored well enough but still entertaining nonetheless.

A nice friendly good feel film.

[raymond-15 · 7/10 · 1 February 2001]

Tim is an illiterate young man with a slight mental handicap. He does odd jobs in the neighbourhood. When Mary an intelligent and well-to-do neighbour asks him back to do another job for her, he says simply and honestly."I like you". This begins a new phase in Tim's life. On the one hand he has an over-protective family and on the other a teacher and a friend who takes him in hand and expands his horizons. Mel Gibson in one of his early films does a great job in getting inside Tim's character - simple and innocent, honest and sincere, never mawkish, never over-dramatic. This is a gentle film with the accent on family life. You can feel the exhilaration when Mary takes Tim to the beach and the childish exuberance as he plunges into the sea. Undoubtedly, he makes her feel young again. Mary is a bit of a mystery at first. What are her motives? Is she just expressing a motherly instinct when she feels she needs to care for him or does she see something more in their relationship.. Undoubtedly she is physically attracted to him as he goes about his gardening in neat T=shirt and shorts. I feel that in the beginning of the film Tim's family is just too perfect to be true, but when disaster strikes it becomes a real family with all the emotions that beset them. Mary seeks advice from a psychologist friend about her feelings towards Tim. I really doubt that the answer he gives is correct or practicable for a woman of her standing, but it makes for a happy ending!

Beautiful Movie

[Kungpow300 · 7/10 · 7 February 2016]

I stumbled across this film on the BBC last night and what a pleasant surprise it was. The subject matter has always interested me of a romance between a younger man and an older woman (played by the beautiful 47 year old Piper Laurie), since myself have always been attracted to older women but the film adds a twist with Mel Gibson playing a slightly retarded mentally handicapped younger guy, which in my honest opinion is one of his best roles ever.

The subject matter of the romance that develops between them is beautifully dealt with and also in a sensitive manner to both sides so credit where is due to the director Michael Pate. Tim's family were also brilliantly acted and made you believe in their emotions.

To top it all of, I usually laugh at most happy endings but this movie genuinely had one of the more happier endings I've seen in any movie ever. It wasn't one of the best movies ever but I give it a solid 7/10 and found it very enjoyable. Would recommend to anyone who's interested in watching a good love story in a different setting.

"Tim" is a little gem - sincere. real, beautifully-acted unlikely love

[peterhkenny · 7 May 2005]

MovieAddict2005 painted a very cruel picture of a very sensitive picture.. Mel Gibson's feeling for the not-too-bright, but likable character Tim was a great tribute to the all-round acting talent of a man too easily typecast as an action actor. Piper Laurie was as ever a joy to watch in the difficult part of "the older woman" and endured ageism , (possibly exhibited a little by MovieAddict2005) with dignity, as did Gibson's character against narrow-minded people who are more "retarded" than he is..

The growing love between them - which came from nowhere, as it should -was as beautiful and real as acting can get.

If the overall production was modest, that's OK. Hollywood is not necessarily the best presenter of simple yet complex human conflict and pain.Australian movies, as shown by such as "Mariel's Wedding" (yes, I know about the spelling) have moved on since the uncomfortable silences of the wooden TV series "Spy Force" and the sheer embarrassment of the "cult" "The Outback"

The Yahoo Movies (sorry!) review described "Tim" as "superb". Rightly Though I dislike numeric ratings, I was asked for one - I gave 7/10. If this sounds low, I'd give the marvellous "The Elephant Man" only 9, even though it has the most moving moment in movie history - the close-up of Anthony Hopkins' face when he realises Merrick could read. You could feel the tears in his eyes as they came to your own. "Tim"'s close-ups could not hope to match this, but they were quietly stunning

No film has ever got 10 - perfection doesn't exist. I would score even Citizen Kane, the greatest of all, 9.5. But "Tim" gets 9/10 for sincerity

An Underestimated and An Enjoyable Movie..!

[carmenjulianna · 7/10 · 27 July 2021]

I really didn't know what to expect from this movie with regards to Mel Gibson playing a simple character role.. Piper Laurie is wonderful (as usual) in this movie! This 40 something tenacious, loving and understanding woman won the heart of Tim (Mel Gibsons') character. A Wonderful film that makes one look into their own character... I Recommend You Watch (Tim) 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Piper Laurie

[gailbob006 · 7/10 · 26 October 2006]

TIM was a brilliant,very emotional and heartbreaking film. When i first watched the film. I thought that it was a brilliant romance story and the characters were amazing. Exspecially Piper Laurie who played Mary Hotton. She had to act emotional and she fell in love with Mel Gibson who played Tim. He was a young man he did gardening work for Mary. She had a gardener who had a bad back so he wouldn't be able to come anymore so she employed Tim.They were both amazing characters. My mum used to watch it every day with a lager and lime. When Tim was with his dad in the pub, Tim gobbled his pint down. I also liked his father Alwyn Kurts who played Ron. He took a great part. When Tim's mother had died Pat Evison who played Em. I thought that the scene was depressing, she had died of an heart attack.No one was for her at the time and I thought that it was heartbreaking. When Ron was talking to Mary. Tim starred at Mary in a jealous look. Ron was talking about planning his own death and Tim didn't understand. He was angry and jealous. He ran off in a temper. He said that she isn't paying much attention to him anymore and she hates him. But she replied that it wasn't true. He knew that this would happen. Then Tim started to kiss Mary. I thought how romantic. In one of the scene Tim had asked Mary what is death? And he didn't know what death was until Mary had told him. Because he thought that he would never see his sister Deborah Kennedy who played Dawnie again. I thought that it would be heartbreaking for Mary because she lost her parents. This was the first film that i ever saw her in and she was brilliant. I have seen her in other films. Carrie as Margaret White and Trauma as Adriana Petrescu and she was the killer. But she was great. I thought that MeL Gibson took a great part as Tim but i didn't fancy him. I thought that the film was brilliant but heartbreaking. Luv Gail

What a title, what a film!

[JohnBoyRoy · 6/10 · 24 March 2004]

10 Reasons to watch "TIM":

1. Its called "Tim".

2. Mel Gibson is in it, and so may be called "Tim" in it.

3. You've never seen a film called "Tim" before.

4. It's got the best title anyone has ever though up ("Tim").

5. You can say you've seen a film noone else has seen, and it was called "Tim".

6. There are NO other films ever called "Tim".

7. There is no scene where "Tim" encounters anyone from "The Fast And the Furious 3: Yeah Fella, I am a tosser"

8. The title can be said quickly, without making a fuss.

9. You can get it on DVD!

10. Look at Mel's afce on the box - he's losing the plot!

Thanks.

BONUS REASON: "Tim" was the first film that was made on earth, by people, and I haven't seen it yet and want to know if it would be a waste of time.

Brilliant 10 out of 10.

Unjust, sappy adaptation

[snowrocket · 5/10 · 25 February 2002]

A shallow display of an underplayed, surfacy adaptation of the wonderful book by Colleen McCullough. This movie by Michael Pate simply doesn't do the characters justice, as if the director said, "Let's just keep the film rolling in this spot and have the actors speak and move around as little as possible, so we don't waste any valuable time and money!" The viewers aren't allowed to delve into the characters' minds, as we should be, making us feel somewhat cheated of a great story line. It unfortunately omits rather amusing and emotional details: the contractors in this film, who constantly play practical jokes on a bewildered Tim, feed him a 'turd' sandwich, leaving him in tears to be comforted by a neighbor. It also leaves out important, deep philosophical dialogue, such as when Mary seeks the advice of the expert who founded a school for mentally retarded individuals. We don't get to see the turmoil in Mary's being, as she painfully ponders her awkward relationship to Tim, a stunningly handsome young laborer, trying to keep their friendship pure and simple and non-sexual. I felt Mary, in this film, wanted the relationship become more than that, although that's not what the author had intended in the first place. The script lacks deep, meaningful dialogue among All the characters (which were so much better in the book), omitting some great, witty lines from Mary's neighbor, the contractors, Tim's father for starters. The only reason I bought it was the fact that it stars a gorgeous, 22-year old Mel Gibson, who seems to innocently sport the tightest, shortest shorts I've ever seen on a guy while cutting grass and trimming bushes. Mel portrays his character with such innocence and wonder, like a lonely, lost puppy dog -- And that teeny bathing suit! I'd buy the film again in an instant! Aside from the surfacy details, I love the essence of the story, and jumped in my seat during certain scenes, hoping it would end the way I wanted it to. There are wonderful moments, especially if you're a female! It does end rather abruptly, however...but that's another puzzlement -- the way it ends. I mean, it just does. But if you're a Mel fan and don't mind sitting through sappy music or boring dialogue, than you'd enjoy it. Otherwise, rent something else.

Excellent, modest love story

[fertilecelluloid · 9/10 · 1 January 2005]

This is an excellent, modest story of love between a young, simple man (Mel Gibson) and Mary, a successful, older woman (Piper Laurie).

Director Michael Pate deftly explores the way love deepens without contrivance or adherence to pre-set plot points. Tim is a member of a close-knit family who are all moving away from him -- his sister via marriage, his father via death.

As these changes occur in Tim's life (he is mildly mentally retarded), he is drawn inexplicably but naturally into an unconventional relationship that brings strength and awareness to his life.

Gibson and Laurie are both brilliant in their respective roles, as is the late, great Australian actor Alwyn Kurts, who plays Tim's father and bestows on the character great depth and dimension.

A wonderful, moving film.

not the full quid

[abagash · 7/10 · 28 March 2005]

i did enjoy this film but i am a retard film lover. this film is great for a laugh and i did feel for the charters but alas i wanted to know more. so i read the book. then i felt a little ripped of by this poor adaptation of such a flouncy but yet engaging novel. but i cant help lovin the charters. some great performance buy some great Aussie talent. mel performance is sprightly not like his later sloppy films he seems alive and in love with his craft in this film i am sure the budget for this film was almost non existent a good one for a laugh after a few beers with ya mates. the score is terrible also and mixed very badly. but yet another great thing to laugh at and torture ya mates with. i think this movie trys to be high drama but i see it as one of the great comedies of Australian film history

Tim

[jboothmillard · 5/10 · 30 April 2017]

I was told about this Australian film, all I knew about it is that it was only the second performance by the leading actor, following his debut in Mad Max, then I read more about what it was about, I was certainly interested. Basically Tim Melville (Mel Gibson) is a young 24-year-old who is developmentally impaired, he has below average intelligence, and he is a aware that he is mentally slow, he works as a labourer/handyman. Mentally challenged Tim lives with his older sister Dawnie (Deborah Kennedy), and their parents Ron (Alwyn Kurts) and Emily (Pat Evison), an older, educated and wealthy American woman, Mary Horton (Carrie's Piper Laurie), lives on her own in the house next door, she hires Tim as her gardener and to do other odd jobs. Mary is initially asked by Ron and Em to look after Tim in circumstances they would rather not expose him to, she and Tim gradually develop a friendship, and she helps him to understand what he is capable of and to nurture his learning skills, including reading and writing, but many people, without facts, think Tim is being taken advantage of, sexually, by Mary. Tim does not fully understand the concepts of death, tears of joy, marriage, and the different types of love, however Tim and Mary do indeed fall in love romantically, Dawnie gets married to her boyfriend Mick Harrington (David Foster), they make it clear that they are opposed of Tim and Mary's relationship. There is a point when Tim finds out the true meaning of loss after death, attending a funeral, he realises he cannot be without Mary, in the end they eventually marry. Also starring Peter Gwynne as Tom Ainsley, Michael Caulfield as John Harrington, Margo Lee as Mrs. Harrington and James Condon as Mr. Harrington. While Mad Max was Gibson's taster of stardom, before Lethal Weapon, this was his first serious role, he does pretty well as the wide-eyed innocent young man with learning difficulties, Laurie is also alright as the wary older woman he is smitten with, the love story is just about believable, it is a very simple script, based on the novel by Colleen McCullough (The Thorn Birds). nothing really exciting or original happens, I think though it is perhaps too quirky to be taken seriously, the music by Eric Jupp is probably one reason why, it makes the film feel like it was made for TV, or a bad episode of Neighbours or Home and Away, it is a low- profile but I suppose alright romantic drama. Worth watching!

One of My Top Ten

[TomColeman · 10/10 · 18 April 2004]

Caught this film on cable, late night, a few years back. No idea what to expect, just wasn't ready to go to bed. By the time it ended, it was in my Top 10 of all time. Certainly the lowest budgeted film (accounting for inflation, anyway) on that list.

Gibson was terrific, capturing a handicapped young man perfectly. But, hey, the entire cast was great, especially Awyn Kurts as Tim's father. And, after appreciating Piper Laurie for years and years, that night I fell in love with her.

I've never seen such a "tight" little film. I doubt that there were more than 12 seconds of even semi-wasted frames. Michael Pate did an amazing job.

A rare gem

[dablinka · 7/10 · 18 March 2010]

This is a touching story about a caring and loving elderly person and an extremely vulnerable (and handsome) retarded person.

Piper Laurie's character is wedded to her work and her only chance at love is to have a simple Chippendale dancer dunce luckily fall into her lap.

Gibson is hilarious in his speedos and 'Daisy Dukes', and one spends the majority of the movie waiting for him to punch it into the next gear. That's right: "Full retard" as they say in the biz.

In this respect, Gibson fails us, and we are left picking up the pieces of rare gem, strewn about like sand on a beautiful beach.

Ugh

[susieusmaximus · 1/10 · 2 October 2010]

Seriously, people? Seriously? This is probably among the creepiest things I've ever seen in my life. This is a movie about the sexual abuse of a young man with borderline intellectual functioning. If this were a middle-aged man and a developmentally delayed woman in her early 20s it would be obvious how predatory and inappropriate it is, but somehow because it's a man who's being taken advantage of it's supposed to be romantic? Think about her teaching him to read children's books -- because those are what's appropriate to his intellectual and emotional level -- and then having sex with him. It's an appalling betrayal of trust. She could perfectly well have cared for him without becoming sexually involved with him, no matter how hunky he is. Bleagh.

Simply beautiful and sensitive

[enbrower · 23 July 2002]

The film Tim is one of the most sensitive acting jobs I have seen Mel Gibson do. It is so unusual that a young actor can play a mentally slow young man so well. He gives us insight into the world of feelings of his character with his voice, body language, and facial expression in a way that makes each moment come alive. He is truly living his character. Piper,(Mary), also plays her role with all the care and sensitivity it needs. The story of the growing friendship between the two makes for more of a poem than a movie. A true love story, regardless of age and handycaps. And Tim's parents are well acted and believable. The harsh note of realism comes in the form of Tim's sister who only sees the oddness of it. However, magic prevails and a delicate love story is born. I wish it had been longer to further develop their lives. I also wish Mel Gibson would return more often to his ability to portray sensitive men with such truth.

Tim

[safenoe · 6/10 · 12 March 2024]

The movie Tim is based on the bestseller by Australian author Colleen McCollough, who also wrote The Thorn Birds, which later became a smash hit starring Richard "Shogun" Chamberlain. Anyway, I wonder to what extent Colleen drew upon the themes of Tim as autobiography, so worth pondering. Anyway, Piper Laurie, fresh off her success as Carrie's mom in the movie Carrie, has the lead role. Her co-star is Mel Gibson, who later achieved superstardom in Mad Max and Lethal Weapon, and he gives a nuanced performance that is worth a look.

Anyway, this film raises interesting issues about gender age gaps.

Dated but not bad

[pc95 · 6/10 · 10 September 2006]

Saw Mel Gibson's name splashed on the top of this DVD case, so gave it a look. It actually surprised well. The acting and direction are at times uneven, but the movie manages to maintain an appeal for watching (at least once). We've seen the older woman/younger man situation before, and perhaps when made this had a little more weight behind it as sort of uncommon. The movie takes advantage of a simple story with simple and well-defined characters except for Piper Laurie's character whose sort of revealed over time. The music is unfortunately a bit dated, however the 2 leads and supporting cast do a good job. I particularly liked the father as sort of Grandpa-like - a straight talker with great down-under accent voice and presence. He helped ground the film and make it more comfortable. Mel Gibson does a good job for so much younger although his part may not be too challenging compared to other roles he's since taken. Piper Laurie plays a sort of motherly presence - at times the movie feels like a romance novel, but perhaps that's the point. Worth a look if you don't mind the outdated feel.

Whoo hoo, look at them thighs!

[BlackBalloon · 3/10 · 25 August 2001]

The appearance of the utmost 1/3 of Gibson's thighs is the most important thing about this movie. The story itself is believable enough, but it's badly written and conflicts are left unresolved- not that you'd care. The characters seemed flat, with no motivation other than moving the completely sentimental story along. Somehow typical of the seventies, it seems where the characters are coming from is secondary to the "May-December-romances-are-okay-and-cute" message. Despite her seemingly sweet nature, smoky-voiced Laurie comes across as predatory in contrast to wide-eyed, handsome Gibson. This brings us to the most glaring flaw of the film- Gibson doesn't act stupid enough.

Possibly the most unknown film Mel has done...

[lillian-3 · 10/10 · 16 March 1999]

"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.

Nice and sweet

[aesalmin · 5/10 · 16 February 1999]

Tim is a story about an older woman (Piper Laurie) and a young retarded man (Mel Gibson).

The story is very positive and maybe little too sweet, but I recommend it for all the romantics out there. The good thing is that the film manages to stay close to everyday life and doesn't ignore all the difficult questions that are raised by this type of relationship.

Tim, a moving tale

[Atrebor · 9/10 · 17 June 2005]

I found it a moving story of love and innocence on the one hand and ignorance, prejudice and bigotry on the other. All the actors from Piper Laurie and Mel Gibson to the Australian actors who played the deeply loving parents and the bigot sister and husband were simply great. I have rarely seen Mel Gibson acting better after this movie. Compliments for the director. The most wonderful but also saddest thing about this movie was that Gibson grew from an almost tabula rasa mind to a person with more grasp of what the world is about. Thanks to the loving guidance of Laurie he learned to read and appreciate art and music. But it also lead him to understand more of the complexity and sometimes ugliness of people. I would love to see it again. Even though I have seen it twice . Of course looking at a young and beautiful Mel Gibson does not hurt.

Annoying and off-target

[MovieAddict2016 · 5/10 · 13 December 2004]

Tim is a mentally handicapped young man who falls in love with an older woman despite his family's objections. Their relationship turns serious and that's basically the point of the movie - can older women love younger men? I looked forward to this as I'm a big Mel Gibson fan and feel he is too often bagged on by critics and moviegoers (particularly Europeans for some reason - according to a poll, because he's always killing them in his movies and they think he's racist!). Well his performance as the titular "Tim" is laughably bad and far from a Rain Man. His "Kangaroo Hop" sequence had me rolling on the floor in laughter wondering whether it was a comedy, and when he started jumping up and down I couldn't stop the tears.

This is just a really poor movie by almost all standards. The direction is poor (it's worse than a made-for-TV movie), the performances are bad, the romance is totally unbelievable and the soundtrack is so horrible it made me want to cringe.

I hate to sound so bitter but you know a movie is going to be in trouble when the description on the back of the DVD reads as if it were written by an illiterate third grader with crossed eyes.

I don't blame Mel.

[KesCaesar · 26 August 2004]

Here's my problem. The film is fine. The plot is fine. Mel's character, the title, Tim, doesn't make sense (in the movie, at least). Tim is *supposed* to be mentally handicapped. This is not expressed in anyway. He just seems to be a polite, if naive, young man. Every trick and character-flaw they use in the film to make us believe he is handicapped can easily be explained away without the viewer being convinced, (ie, he does not understand death, mainly because no one explains it to him). It is for this reason, I adore the film. Plus, Mel is adorably young. On the whole, a great film to laugh at with friends. Not so good if taken seriously.

Forbidden love and tight shorts

[Jill-68 · 5/10 · 13 September 2000]

Colleen McCullough (of Thornbirds fame) seems to specialize in novels of forbidden love. In modern times, not very much is forbidden; hence, she conjures up stories about priests and develomentally delayed adults. I consider this film to border on soft porn, though there is no nudity. Okay, maybe some nudity - but the film lighting was very DARK at that point. And Mel wears extremely short shorts during most of the film. Probably the reason I keep renting this silly movie.

A "MUST-SEE" for those who are open minded enough to accept romances between older women & younger men !!!

[R1H2B3 · 10/10 · 28 July 2004]

Even though we now live in the 21st century, there are still many people who cannot bring themselves to accept anything that is out of the "norm". There still exist segments of our societies, that perpetuate the practices of intolerance.....especially when it comes to romance. For such individuals, this movie "TIM", is no doubt unbearable to even look at.

However, for those of us who are not stuck in the ways of the closed minded past, "TIM" is an example of a movie that is ahead of it's time. It is the touching story of two people, who find happiness and love, through an unorthodox relationship.

This film explores a romantic relationship between two people, that on paper, would seem almost unbelievable. Yet magnificently, this story is portrayed so well on screen, that it seems as realistic and natural as any other common relationship.

Yes Mel Gibson is in this film, but as a heterosexual male, my favorite character is played by leading lady Piper Laurie...........Who just so happens to be H - O - T, Hot Hot Hot !!!!!

In the words of young people today, " She's a real M.I.L.F. !!!!! " My goodness,......that flaming red hair and that navy blue bathing suit she wears at the end.....(Oh be still my beating heart !!!!) Piper Laurie is absolutely gorgeous in this film. If you can appreciate the beauty of an older woman, then this DVD is worth buying just to see her !!

What makes this movie so sweet though, is that there is nothing in this story that is perverted about their romance. You truly fall in love with Piper Laurie, as an honest woman who genuinely cares. Although she is an accomplished and successful woman, she is as emotionally innocent as Mel Gibson's character. Their romance develops naturally, and without sex as an ulterior motive.

This film, in it's own quiet little way, shows us that just because a relationship might seem bizarre to you, does not mean that there's anything wrong with it. The love of a lifetime, can spring forth between the most unlikely people.