"Northern Lights"

Film Info...Reviews & Comments...Links...Buy

"Northern Lights" was Joe's first feature film. Diane Keaton stars as an overworked career woman who learns of her brother's untimely death in a remote New England town. Going to the funeral, she meets up with an assortment of crazy and colorful townfolk. But her real craziness comes when she learns that she has become custody of Jack, the orphaned son of her brother. Although definitely TV-movieish in tone, especially in its first half-hour, "Northern Lights" nonetheless is a sweet, whimsical comedy with many funny, touching and moving moments. Joe plays the young boy, Jack, as an instantly sympathetic character...A real kid, but Joseph makes the role his own. Of course!

Film Info

Debut Airdate: August 23, 1997
Running time: 100m
Aired on: The Disney Channel
Directed by: Linda Yellen
Cast:

• Joseph Cross...Jack
• Diane Keaton...Roberta
• Maury Chaykin...Ben
• Kathleen York...Daphne
• John Hoffman...Joe

Trivia/Notes:

• The movie was filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia.
• "Northern Lights" was based on a play by John Hoffman.
• It was the first film to be released through Diane Keaton's own production company, Blue Relief Productions.

Reviews & Comments

"And it helps greatly that amid so much bewildering characterization, Joseph Cross plays young Jack as a singular but normal boy..."
-- Anita Gates, New York Times, August 22, 1997

"Young Cross, looking distinctly Doogie Howser-esque, is charming, subtle and surprisingly versatile as Jack..."
-- Eric Mink, New York Daily News, August 23, 1997

"Cross' endearing young Jack is a winner..."
-- Tony Scott, Weekly Variety, August 25-31, 1997.

Links

IMDB Entry for "Northern Lights"
New York Daily News -- Reviewer Eric Mink was mixed about the film but he liked Joseph!

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