The Kid (2000)

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:

Apathy | Redemption | Father Son Estrangement | Bully Comeuppance | Boy

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:

Malaysia:U | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Canada:G (Alberta/British Columbia/Nova Scotia/Quebec) | South Korea:All | USA:PG (certificate #37579) | Iceland:L | 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:

Crew or equipment visible: While Russ confronts Rusty sitting in the chair, just after Russ turn off the TV, the boom operator is reflected in the T.V.

Quotes:

Rusty Duritz: How old are you?
Russ Duritz: Forty. In a couple days.
Rusty Duritz: That is old! I'm turning eight. In a couple days.
Russ Duritz: Eight. You're eight. I'm eight.
Rusty Duritz: This is scary.
Russ Duritz: No. This is hilarious.

Movie Connections:

References "The Flintstones" (1960)

Soundtrack:

Trumpet Voluntary

This could have been much worse

When this movie was shown on television, it wasn't announced as "Disney's The Kid", but just as "The Kid", a movie with Bruce Willis, and that's probably a good thing. I'm pretty sure I would never have taped it if I knew this was a Disney movie, fearing that all the syrupy nonsense would be too much for me to handle. Still, I don't know what made me decide to give this movie a try when I saw the title in the beginning of the movie, but in the end I was glad that I watched it, because it certainly wasn't as bad as I feared it would be.

Bruce Willis is Russ Duritz, a wealthy L.A. image consultant who's about to turn forty. He's a cynical workaholic who has estranged from his father, who has no memories of his childhood and who doesn't have a girlfriend, a family or even a dog. One night he surprises an intruder, who turns out to be an almost 8 years old kid. But there is something strange about him. The chubby kid is named Rusty and has a lot of similarities with Russ. Soon they find out that Russ and Rusty are actually the same person. Together they make a journey into Russ's past to find the key moment that has defined who Russ is. How this is possible, what it all has to mean and how it will affect both their futures will only be clear at the end of the movie.

In a way this is a very typical and predictable Disney movie with it's rather innocent and naive look on life, but I guess it can be enjoyable for adults as well. It is all very recognizable and it is a nice fairy tale about losing touch with your inner child. It certainly isn't the best movie ever, but it is some decent and heart-warming family entertainment that offers some nice acting and a good story. I would say: watch it with an open mind and you'll see it isn't as bad as you feared. I give it a 6/10.