A Child Is Waiting (3 stars)

A Child Is Waiting, starring Burt Lancaster and Judy Garland, is a touching 1963 drama which focuses on the education of mentally retarded children.  It's a great "message movie" about the dignity and worth of all humans.

Dr. Clark (Burt Lancaster) is the director at a school for mentally handicapped children; as the film begins, Jean Hanson (Judy Garland) is hired on as a music teacher.  Despite not having experience in either teaching or working with mentally retarded children, Jean's heart is in the right place, so Dr. Clark offers her a position at the school.  Almost immediately upon arrival, Jean develops a connection with Ruben, a young boy with whom the school hasn't had much success. 

While Dr. Clark is quite an advocate for helping the children, he and Jean butt heads over his methods, especially with regard to Ruben.  Jean gives the lion's share of her attention to Ruben and seems to baby him, not really expecting him to obey rules or join in with the other children.  Jean's attachment to the little boy eventually causes her to go directly against Dr. Clark's instruction to not contact his mother, an action which brings great heartbreak to Ruben.

The balance of the film chronicles Dr. Clark's and Jean's endeavors to reach Ruben and make him a functioning part of the school.  It's a touching and interesting movie, with Burt Lancaster playing a rather paternal role...definitely a departure from other films of his that I've seen.  I liked having the opportunity to see him in such a capacity.  I found this a solid 3-star movie and definitely recommend it.

Happy viewing!!