Cast: Blake Cameron Jones, Gian Knight Ramirez, Jurnee Smollett S. Epatha Merkerson, Lil Rel Howery, Avery Holliday, Ora Jones
Two young boys, best friends Malik and Eric, discover the joys and hardships of growing up in the sprawling Cabrini-Green public housing complex in 1992 Chicago.
This is an empowering movie about the positivity of black youth and black families growing up in the so-called hood of poverty.
The film shows the strength of family imagination and wonder by focusing on the innocence of the young children involved. How can we grow in places that we’ve been told are the most dangerous. How communities formed in these places in the past for a community and culture of solidarity.
Over the years, the resources have been taken and swindled away. Also how it seems that every time that African-Americans or the so-called poor people try to do right and lift themselves up
The upper class or those in power seemed to punish them or make things harder so that they could never truly lift themselves up the way that many say they should.
While it deals with that and generations and legacies of families, its wide scope is Mohr seeing this world through the children’s eyes especially the two leads who are best friends from different families but are like a tag team and help each other through when their family is it necessarily there or can’t they’re an inspiration to one another.
It’s an uplifting adventure of life seen through the eyes of children for the most part.
Directed By: Francis Ford Coppola Written by: James DeMonaco & Gary Nadeau Cinematography: John Toll Editor: Barry Malkin
Cast: Robin Williams, Diane Lane, Jennifer Lopez, Brain Kerwin, Bill Cosby, Fran Drescher, Adam Zolotin, Todd Bosley, Jurnee Smollett, Michael Mckean, Don Novello, Keone Young, Seth Smith, Mario Yedidia, Jer Adrianne Lelliott
Because of an unusual disorder that has aged him four times faster than a typical human being, a boy looks like a 40-year-old man as he starts fifth grade at public school after being homeschooled.
This is a feel-good movie that feels at times too artificial.
A kids movie, more from an adult’s point of view that families will enjoy. That tries to capture the winsomeness of youth but reeks of sentimentality and a kind of contempt with an over the top earnestness. That works for the audience but feels pointed and over intellectual at times just to try to explain things in a plausible way. While taking itself too seriously.
It attempts to be a feel-good film so much that it feels like a cop-out or set up to watch Robin Williams be wacky with kids while supposedly being a kid. Letting him loose to be wild and showcase his improv talent while still playing a character convincingly.
If you are a fan or completist of his works then this film is great. As I can admit a favorable bias when it comes to Robin Williams performances. This feels almost like the greatest hits collection. As it shows his range fully in character. As this is a role seemingly written for him. So it is perfect casting with him is the lead being unpredictable and always having a certain playfulness. Though as you watch you get a sense that he is better than the material. Even as the movie is more or less built around him.
While Francis Ford Coppola tries to make the material and the film more enriched then it is or deserved to be. As to not embarrass himself. Plus gives him the chance to work with Robin Williams. Though the film Still feels disappointing as he tries to bring tone and atmosphere to the material. Just as he did in his previous for hire film THE RAINMAKER.
The film tries to show the joy of youth and ends up coming off more obvious than anything. While some comedic scenes seem misplaced even though they are supposed to be in a kind of reality seem silly more than anything.
Child actor Todd Bodley does his similar oddball schtick he did in the movie LITTLE GIANTS. Though he used his talents better in the kids film LLOYD then here.
Bill Cosby plays a supporting role as a child psychiatrist that feels more like a special guest star and is filmed in a warm loving way. That set the time for his reputation more. That watching the film now is almost sad and scary knowing what we know and scars the movie a bit. In which his performance and character are some of the better things in it.
The film is an interesting contrast of the two comedians working together though mostly in dramatic scenes.
As towards the end the film takes a more dramatic and sad turn, but it also ends up being a life-affirming film for the whole family. As even in It’s More adult scenes it comes off as silly and innocent
The film in the end is definitely a crowd-pleaser. That you can’t help but smile and giggle at least once or twice.
Cut To The Chase 