Matthew Harbour Movies
A native of Montreal, Quebec, screen actor Matthew Harbour grew up in a rural community with his family and experienced tragedy at the age of nine months when his father suddenly died. During his primary school years, he paradoxically displayed an intense, aggressive interest in all things athletic, and yet a slightly shy introversion. This fully explained the young man's gravitation to drama: through acting, Harbour gained the strength and courage to be more outward. Exposed to the professional work of his thespian brother, Matthew discovered his life's calling, snagged an agent, and began signing for work in commercials. He began his feature career as a child star around age 10, and for several years did the bulk of his work in family oriented material (on the big and small screens). Projects included The Growing Pains Movie (2000), Daniel and The Superdogs (2004), and The Velveteen Rabbit (2009) (in the lead role of Toby Morgan). ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
Live-action filmmaking mixes with imaginative animation in director Michael Landon Jr.'s feature adaptation of author Margery Williams' beloved children's book. An energetic child with a vivid imagination, Toby Morgan (Matthew Harbour) lives with his father (Kevin Jubinville), a successful businessman who seemed to shut down emotionally following the death of Toby's mother. When Toby is sent to spend the Christmas holidays with his loving but stern grandmother (Una Kay), he wanders through the lonely house until he eventually discovers the "magic attic" that was once his father's childhood playroom. There, Toby is surprised to find that his mother left him a stuffed velveteen rabbit -- her final gift to her beloved son. Hugging the rabbit close as he starts to cry, the grieving boy watches in wonder as his tears magically bring the toy to life. Before long, Toby is frolicking in the enchanted attic with a whole new group of friends, including the impetuous Horse (voiced by Tom Skerritt) and the wise but skittish Swan (voice of Ellen Burstyn). Toby's one wish is to spend Christmas with his father, and Rabbit's one wish is to someday hop across the fields as a real rabbit. Later, when Toby falls seriously ill, the courageous Rabbit helps him to win over his grandmother and make a full recovery. When Toby's father returns in time for Christmas, the power of the young child's love grants the Velveteen Rabbit its one true wish. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Matthew Harbour, Tom Skerritt, (more)
- 2002
World War II is fought on a small scale in this 2003 drama starring Linda Hamilton of The Terminator. Hamilton plays a single German mother hiding out with her young son in a rural cabin. On Christmas Eve, 1944, three American soldiers show up, seeking refuge from the battlefield. Just as a bond grows, a group of Nazi soldiers arrive, dismayed with the treasonous situation they find. Cassian Bopp and Matthew Harbour also star. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Linda Hamilton, Matthew Harbour, (more)
A man who dares to feel finds his life in danger in this cautionary science fiction drama. In the future, after a Third World War has decimated much of the Earth's population, a new nation known as Libria rises up under the unquestioned leadership of Dupont (Angus MacFadyen). Believing human emotions and their expression were to blame for the failings of past societies, The Father has decreed that all citizens must take a daily dose of Prozia II, a drug which levels out the emotional landscape, and that all forms of creative expression are against the law; violating either regulation can be punished by death. John Preston (Christian Bale) is a Grammaton, an elite law enforcement officer who tracks down and punishes "sense offenders." One day, Preston accidentally fails to take his Prozia II, and for the first time begins experiencing emotions himself. Preston becomes aware of an underground of rebels who refuse to take their medication and have embraced art and literature, and he finds himself becoming infatuated with one of their number, Mary O'Brian (Emily Watson). Equilibrium is the second feature-length directorial effort from Kurt Wimmer, whose screenwriting credits include The Thomas Crown Affair and Sphere. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Christian Bale, Emily Watson, (more)
