Aaron und der Wolf (2002)

Aaron und der Wolf: Directed by Rod Pridy. With Burt Reynolds, Marthe Keller, Devin Douglas Drewitz, Jason Priestley. A boy makes an unusual and dangerous friend in this family drama. Aaron McGregor (Devin Douglas Drewitz) is a young boy who, after the death of his parents, goes to live with his aunt and uncle in a rural community. Aaron feels like an outcast in his new home, not accepted by his schoolmates and receiving little in the way of support or affection from his Aunt Rebecca (Marthe Keller). One of the few things that comforts Aaron is the sound of a pack of wolves who howl on the prairies late in the night. When a band of farmers attempt to kill the animals, Aaron discovers one is still alive and he attempts to nurse the survivor back to health. However, while Aaron is happy with his new friend, he learns the hard way that keeping a wolf under wraps is no easy task.

“A boy is orphaned and his only surviving relatives, an ageing aunt and uncle, somewhat reluctantly, take him in. The aunt, still traumatised by the death by drowning, years earlier, of her own two sons, has little idea how to handle the boy. As if, losing his parents and not really feeling welcome in his new home, were not enough, the boy is bullied at school. He seeks sanctuary from all of his troubles in the open air, in the company of wolves and particularly in the presence of a young wolf whose life he has saved. Burt Reynolds, as the uncle and Jason Priestley, as the schoolmaster, are both excellent in unusually tender roles and Marthe Keller is convincing as the troubled aunt. But it is a personable and talented young actor of huge potential, Devin Douglas Drewitz who steals the show. This young man, who first sprang to prominence in Steven Spielbergu0026#39;s, Taken, playing young Charlie Keys, will, God-willing, be around for years to come and will soon get the starring role that he deserves.”