Cliff Robertson delivers a remarkable performance as Charly, a man facing challenges with his intellect. For nearly two years, he’s been taking evening classes led by "Dr. Kilman" (Claire Bloom), focused on enhancing his literacy skills, and she believes there’s potential for him to participate in a program involving surgery that could significantly improve his condition. His journey requires considerable effort and perseverance—sometimes involving attempts to deceive a genetically modified mouse—to persuade "Dr. Straus" (Lilia Skala) and "Dr. Nemur" (Leon Janney) of his suitability, all while working at a bakery where coworkers occasionally subject him to unkind jokes. He ultimately succeeds, but the results of the surgery remain uncertain. The narrative weaves together moral considerations about fitting in and being accepted with the allure of scientific breakthroughs that don’t fully consider their long-term consequences. It takes some time to gain momentum, though a compelling rapport develops between Charly and his doctor as ethical questions arise, prompting viewers to question whether this sympathetic character is headed in the right direction. The film raises interesting points, and the writing and filmmaking present choices instead of simple good versus bad evaluations. While it can be difficult to watch at times, I believe it’s a worthwhile experience.

Source on TMDB