MR. HARRIGAN’S PHONE
Writer/Director: John Lee Hancock
Starring: Jaeden Martell, Donald Sutherland, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Joe Tippett, Cyrus Arnold, Daniel Reece
Not every Stephen King story sets out to scare you with a clown, telekinetic teen girl, or daunting hotel visit. His dramatic character studies are just as engaging. The latest page to screen adaptation is Mr. Harrigan’s Phone. Like most King stories, it’s set in Maine with our protagonist, Craig (Martell), setting the scene of what and who lives in the town of Harlow. He reflects on the “What If” and “Why Me” of why he was chosen by the elderly Mr. Harrigan, played by Donald Sutherland. He’s the richest guy in Maine and hires Craig to read to him in the final years of his life. Reading books like “Heart of Darkness” to “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They” bring about the life lessons he needs to hear from his elderly mentor. It’s a stark contrast from the bullies at school who are quick to tease and harass Craig. Craig gifts Mr. Harrigan his first iPhone, but soon after Mr. Harrigan dies, Craig keeps getting texts on from Mr. Harrigan’s phone as if he’s communicating from beyond the grave. Streaming on Netflix
Here’s my review