Walter, played masterfully by Sir Ian McKellen, is a mentally challenged man living with his parents in Britain. His condition obviously weighs heavily on his parents, but this doesn't seem to have that much of a negative impact on him. He's a strong man with a job and a possible future who finds solitude with his pigeons. Walter becomes a very likable character, one whom I was pulling for when his mother shouts at him or when his coworkers mock him. Although he might be slow mentally, he has compassion and inner spirit. I found myself thinking more than once that many of us could learn from Walter's example.

But when his parents die things begin to turn bad for Walter and the film begins to take that overly depressing turn. When he is placed in the forbidding institution, it's very difficult to watch because of the realism portrayed onscreen. In one very graphic scene, Walter is forced to help a comatose patient by cleaning feces off of his backside after the man had a nasty bowel movement during the night. Walter's spirit never falters and he's always there to help, which is uplifting in its own way, but his attitude only makes his predicament that much harder to watch.

What this film really needs is a break in the tension. I was so overwhelmed at the sad state of this institution and at how poorly Walter and the others are treated, that I found myself wanting to fast forward the film. I needed relief. Not comedy, exactly, but something not so powerful. Something light.

Luckily, relief does come in the second half of the film. Unfortunately, it comes in the wrong form. The second half introduces, and focuses on, June (Sarah Miles), a suicidal patient who Walter eventually falls in love with. I was relieved to see a break in the detailed look at Walter's life, but not at the expense of losing him. Too much time is spent on June, and we no longer get to see Walter's day-to-day experiences.

The film doesn't necessarily take a wrong turn here as far as the story goes (I liked the idea of Walter finding someone he likes), it simply forgets the focus of the film, which is Walter. Sure, he's still the main character and the focal point of the situations, but the powerful nature of the first half is missing. It's almost as if I'm wanting too things. The depressing reality of the first half was overbearing, but when it was gone, I missed it.

This film has its flaws, but the acting by Sir Ian McKellen is not one of them. This man is a master. In this film, he is Walter. I never doubted that for one moment. The look in his eyes is filled with depth and compassion, a must for a film that tackles such an important topic. Without McKellen's performance, Loving Walter would not have had the realism it does, and thus couldn't have the same impact.

As it is, Loving Walter is a close look at the mentally challenged and their life in institutions. Despite the wrong turn in the second half, the film does have a lasting impact.

THE VIDEO
The best thing I can say about the video presentation for Loving Walter is that it's not terrible. Presented in the full frame aspect ratio of 4.3:1, the 1982 television film looks its age. The color is somber and muted, and thus fits the tone of the film, but it's a little too dull, with colors never looking vivid or bright. Detail is never that sharp, and it is lost in the shadows rather easily. Scratches and evidence of grain are seen throughout.

THE AUDIO
The audio of Loving Walter is very similar to the quality of the video. Despite the case's statement of a Dolby Digital soundtrack, the film is presented here in 2.0 sound only. It is a little too soft, even for this quiet film. Voices are never particularly crisp and at times, they are muffled. The music and sound effects sound too tinny, and there is almost no low end to speak of.

THE BONUS FEATURES
The special features are slim, but then again, I wasn't expecting much for such a small film. The interviews with writer David Cook, Sir Ian McKellen, and director Stephen Frears offer some interesting information. But as these talking head featurettes often do, these three get a little tedious by the end. However, Cook's interview is very heart-felt as he discusses the hows and whys for writing the story, and McKellen's discussion includes some very fun memories, including how the prosthetic teeth helped him get into character.

The best bonus feature is the text presentation of "Futile Treatment of the Mentally Ill". Although I have never enjoyed reading from my television screen, I was intrigued with this subject. This very interesting look at this very serious issue delves into how philosophers and scientists have viewed mental illness from ancient Egypt to modern times. It's a very enlightening read.

Also on the disc are biographies and select filmographies of the key players.

THE MENUS
I was surprised to find the menus to be interactive. Although the music and movie images from the film aren't much to get excited about, the tone of these menus definitely hint at the magnitude of the film's message.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Loving Walter is a very depressing, yet very realistic, look at a mentally challenged man trying to make his way in the world. I think it would have a stronger impact if it were trimmed down so each scene was more important to the people involved. As it is, it drags a little too long, which isn't a positive thing for a film a weighty as this one. It's worth a rental for anyone who wants an understanding of what it was like to be mentally challenged in London, and for anyone who wants to see McKellen master the art of acting.