THE KID (2000)

MORGAN'S RATING

Bruce Willis stars as Russ Duritz, a successful, high powered image consultant whose life is suddenly turned upside down when he magically meets himself as an eight-year-old child. Ironically, the tyke helps Russ remember the childhood dreams he had, in order to become the grown-up he wants to be. Touching and heartwarming, Disney's The Kid is a real treat, for young and old alike.

Bruce Willis (Russ Duritz), Spencer Breslin (Rusty Duritz), Emily Mortimer (Amy), Lily Tomlin (Janet), Jean Smart (Deirdre), Chi McBride (Kenny), Daniel von Bargen (Sam Duritz), Dana Ivey (Dr. Alexander), Susan Dalian (Giselle), Stanley Anderson (Bob Riley), Juanita Moore (Kenny's Grandmother), Esther Scott (Clarissa), Deborah May (Governor), Larry King (Himself), Jeri Ryan (Larry King's Guest), Nick Chinlund (Larry King's Guest), Matthew Perry (Long-haired Client).

NOBODY EVER GROWS UP QUITE LIKE THEY IMAGINED.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Jon Turteltaub.

WRITER: Audrey Wells.

PRODUCERS: Hunt Lowry, Christina Steinberg and Jon Turteltaub.

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: Stephen J. Eads.

CO-PRODUCERS: William M. Elvin and Bill Johnson.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Arnold Rifkin and David Willis.

FACTS

ORIGINAL MUSIC: Frank Gari, Marc Shaiman and Marco Marinangeli (songs).

RELEASE DATE: July 7th, 2000 (USA)

BOX OFFICE OPENING: $12.6 million (USA)

DISTRIBUTOR: Walt Disney Pictures.

BOX OFFICE RESULT: $69.6 million (USA)

BUDGET: $65 million (USA)

QUOTES

SHOOTING DATES: January 2000 -- April 2000

Rusty Duritz: Isn't it cool we both have to go to the bathroom at the same time? Russ Duritz: Oh, yeah. This is a moment I'll cherish forever.

CRITICAL COMMENTS

"Well-meaning fable by Audrey Wells has its moments, but doesn't quite come off." -- Leonard Maltin

Rusty Duritz: How old are you? Russ Duritz: 42 years old. Rusty Duritz: That is old.

"Warm-hearted and effective." -- Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times

Rusty Duritz: So let me get this straight: I turn out to be a loser?!

"Never really sparks much insight beyond the implied simplistic homily: you're never too old to change." -- Susan Wloszczyna, USA Today

"It's not the big movie of Summer 2000 that everyone's been waiting for, but it's solid, if ultimately uninspired, July entertainment." -- Peter Brunette, Film.Com

"Bruce Willis deserves full props." -- Lisa Schwarbaum, Entertainment Weekly

"Well-meaning fable has its moments, but doesn't quite come off." -- Leonard Maltin

"This comedy-fantasy about finding one's inner child falls flat on its face." -- Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune.

"The Kid gets bogged down in its sentimental manipulations." -- Jay Carr, Boston Globe