Disney’s The Kid
DISNEY’S THE KID (2000)
Starring Bruce Willis, Spencer Breslin, Emily Mortimer, Lily Tomlin, Chi McBride, Jean Smart, Dana Ivey, Daniel van Bargen, Stanley Anderson, Vernee Watson-Johnson, Larry King, Jeri Ryan, Kevon Edmunds and Matthew Perry.
Screenplay by Audrey Wells.
Directed by Jon Turtletaub.
Distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. 104 minutes. Rated PG.
Alert the media! Bruce Willis has made three straight good movies. Surprisingly good movies. It’s like somewhere in the middle of filming Armageddon or The Story of Us, he suddenly realized the difference between a good script and a bad script. Unfortunately it was too late to stop those turkeys – but ever since he’s been on a roll. First was the brilliant horror show The Sixth Sense, then the surprisingly charming mob comedy The Whole Nine Yards.
He finishes the hat trick with this winning fantasy. Willis plays Russ Duritz, a hardened, unfeeling executive who… through some never totally explained fluke… comes face-to-face with his eight-year-old self. At first he is put off by himself as a child and it seems like a total inconvenience. However, slowly he it starts to open him back up the hopes and dreams he had long ago given up on. Willis’ rapport with Spencer Breslin (as young Rusty) is every bit as natural as with Haley Joel Osment. Maybe he should work with kids more often. (Oh, wait, I just remembered Mercury Rising, maybe not…)
Emily Mortimer is adorable as the love interest and Lily Tomlin has her best role in years as Russ’ put-upon assistant. Forget the brand name title, and don’t write this off as just another children’s movie. The Kid is a winner. (7/00)
Jay S. Jacobs
Copyright ©2000 PopEntertainment.com All rights reserved. Posted: July 7, 2000.
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