The Kid (2000)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

Jon Turteltaub

Writer (WGA):

Audrey Wells (written by)

Release Date:

7 July 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

Nobody ever grows up quite like they imagined.

Plot:

An unhappy and disliked image consultant gets a second shot at life when an eight year old version of himself mysteriously appears.

Plot Keywords:

Image Consultant | Childhood | Boy | Bachelor | Anchorwoman

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Bruce Willis	...	Russ Duritz
Spencer Breslin	...	Rusty Duritz
Emily Mortimer	...	Amy
Lily Tomlin	...	Janet
Jean Smart	...	Deirdre Lafever
Chi McBride	...	Kenny
Daniel von Bargen	...	Sam Duritz (as Daniel Von Bargen)
Dana Ivey	...	Dr. Alexander
Susan Dalian	...	Giselle
Stanley Anderson	...	Bob Riley
Juanita Moore	...	Kenny's Grandmother
Esther Scott	...	Clarissa
Deborah May	...	Governor
Vernee Watson-Johnson	...	Newsstand Cashier (as Vernee Watson Johnson)
Jan Hoag	...	Newsstand Tourist

Also Known As:

Disney's The Kid (USA) (complete title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for boxing action and mild thematic elements.

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Canada:G (Alberta/British Columbia/Nova Scotia/Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Malaysia:U | Iceland:L | USA:PG (certificate #37579) | South Korea:All | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Chile:TE | France:U | Germany:o.Al. | Hong Kong:I | Mexico:A | Netherlands:AL | New Zealand:PG | Portugal:M/6 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:PG

Filming Locations:

Haynes Street Elementary School - 6624 Lockhurst Drive, West Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Chester Films Inc.

Trivia:

Daniel von Bargen who plays Russ Duritz's (Bruce Willis) father Sam is only five years older than Willis.

Goofs:

Continuity: Russ startles Rusty; Rusty throws his popcorn bowl and the popcorn scatters. When Russ spins the chair, the popcorn is not there, but when we see Rusty again, he and the chair are again covered with popcorn.

Quotes:

Russ Duritz: Stop biting.
Amy: Leave me alone. I'm advertising terror and bewilderment.

Movie Connections:

References "The Flintstones" (1960)

Soundtrack:

Trumpet Voluntary

The Kid The Man The Girl,oh and don't forget Chester !

Now for sure, this is one of the lightest-hearted stories that Bruce Willis has been in to date and yet,-- it is still touching. I really like Bruce's style and persona, I haven't loved everything he has ever been in, but he brings it to the 'Big-time' for me in most all his film endeavors.

The story begins..... He is power, confidence and style with a capitol 'S' . He drives a Porshe he lives well, in a palatial estate with a grand view of the fair city. That's Russell Duritz. He is an image consultant to those who are on the top or rising to it. His acclaim, he is Russell Duritz, he knows what it takes to make it. It just seems that as life is going along swiftly and foundation-ally set, there is a problem, an intruder at his home, the alarm has been activated!

Russell can't seem to figure out (for the moment) what is happening to him. It's different and yet it is somehow familiar. A small boy, who looks exactly like....-- him. As their lives run smack dab into each other, there seems to be a reason that is screaming out to him, "You have unfinished business to take care of, now!"

Amy the supporting young lady of the story is probably the best balance that he has seen and has in his life. She works with him, puts up with his 'ego' and yet, she is smitten with Russell. Very much so. With Rusty his past 'self' now in the picture and talking a mile a minute, singing too late at night, everything that was foundational is becoming like jelly!

Willis is fun, egocentric and at times out of his head in this lovable Disney modern times classic 'The Kid' and to add his little heavy-duty side kick Spencer Breslin is a perfect addition to this sparkling story of childhood to adult and back to childhood adventure. Chi McBride is an inspirational supporting character, as he is the heavy-weight champ, teaching 'little' Rusty how to box to defend himself against the bullies on the playground.

All in all this is a real winner of a movie with even Lillie Tomlin as the secretary and aide to Russell. I originally saw this back in 2000' and then again years later, with equal enjoyment. This is a shiny family comedy that has a super ending that will warm the hearts of any Disney fan Recommended highly (*****)