Problem Child (1990)

User Rating:

4.3/10   

Director:

Dennis Dugan

Writers (WGA):

Scott Alexander (written by) &
Larry Karaszewski (written by)

Release Date:

27 July 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

Attila the Hun. Ivan the Terrible. Al Capone. They were all seven once.

Plot:

A young boy is just short of a monster. He is adopted by a loving man and his wacky wife. The laughs keep coming as the boy pushes them to the limits.

Plot Keywords:

Bear | Nun | Bow Tie | Young Boy | Serial Killer

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

John Ritter	...	Ben
Jack Warden	...	Big Ben
Michael Oliver	...	Junior
Gilbert Gottfried	...	Mr. Peabody
Amy Yasbeck	...	Flo
Michael Richards	...	Martin Beck
Peter Jurasik	...	Roy
Charlotte Akin	...	Lorraine
Anna Marie Allred	...	Kid #3
Adam Anderly	...	Catcher
Robert A. Anderson	...	Boy in Chair
Cody Beard	...	2nd Baseman
Jordan Burton	...	Kid #1
Eli Cummins	...	Umpire
John S. Davies	...	Paramedic

Runtime:

81 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Brazil:Livre | Iceland:L | Portugal:M/6 | Netherlands:6 | Germany:12 | Argentina:Atp | Chile:TE | Finland:K-8 | Peru:PT | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:PG | USA:PG | Singapore:PG | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Building One, Studios at Las Colinas - 6301 North O'Connor Road, Irving, Texas, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Throughout the film Ben reads several self help books on parenting. Each book features a photo of the author on the back cover. The author photos are John Ritter in various costumes. This was mirrored in Problem Child 2 (1991) when Lawanda Dumore's photos of previous husbands are all John Ritter in costumes.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: Bears are not found in Illinois.

Quotes:

Junior: I'm sorry Mr. Healy, please don't spank me.
Little Ben Healy: Well I'll have to punish you somehow. I'm taking back you're allowance.
Junior: The whole buck?
Little Ben Healy: Yes go get it.
Junior: [going through stolen money, thinking to himself] I wonder if he's got change for a twenty?

Movie Connections:

Features Boys Town (1938)

Soundtrack:

REAL WILD CHILD

Really refreshing!

I really enjoyed this film - which was truly different.

To be honest, I'm absolutely fed up with portrays of children (especially in commercials and family movies). Children are always portrayed as so cuuuuuuute and nice - actually, I'm worried about getting tooth decay because of the sweetness involved.

Problem Child is just different - the child is a complete evil brat which causes havoc during the whole movie.

Basically, the film concentrates on showing the evil side of children - and yes, people, there is a cruelty in children. Do you remember your own childhood? The bully who loved to harass weaker children? How about children treat outsiders, like fat/ugly peers? What about kids torturing animals like flies or frogs?

Sure - this comedy is far of and unrealistic, but so are cuuuuuuute and sweet family movies.

So - I quite like the movie, it's a black comedy which is a nice counterpoint to sweet & cute comedies like Home Alone.

7 / 10