
Charly
Seen it?1968 | 103 min | Drama, Romance, Science Fiction
Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It won an Oscar and it made about 9 times its budget, though it had middling reviews (55% on Rotten Tomatoes). A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics and sci-fi fans. If you loved Never Let Me Go, start here.
- The mood
- Warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 43 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
- Made in 1968: an older pace and style.
An experiment on a simpleton turns him into a genius. When he discovers what has been done to him he struggles with whether or not what was done to him was right.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsBelow par
55% on Rotten Tomatoes, 50 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.5 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 Oscar: Best Actor. Won 1 Golden Globe: Best Screenplay. Also nominated for 2 more Golden Globes. Plus 2 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$9 million worldwide on a $950K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 108K people sought it out in the past year
More like this
Life in a YearSunday Safe BetAnother drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
PhenomenonWeeknight WatchAnother drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Forever YoungWeeknight WatchAnother fantasy film, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Never Let Me GoSaturday SpecialAnother drama, and a Saturday Special.
Winter's TaleMonday Morning MaybeAnother drama. Fair warning: it's a Monday Morning Maybe.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Ralph Nelson
- Cliff RobertsonCharlie Gordon
- Claire BloomAlice Kinian
- Lilia SkalaDr. Anna Straus
- Leon JanneyDr. Richard Nemur
- Ruth WhiteMrs. Apple
- Dick Van PattenBert
- Edward McNallyGimpy
- Barney MartinHank
- William DwyerJoey
- Dan MorganPaddy