Surprisingly Smart "Kid"

Dying is easy...comedy is hard. It's an old cliche, but it never rings truer than when describing the rise and fall of careers in Hollywood. It might, in fact, explain Hollywood's rush to make scores of so-so action blockbusters...and their inability to make truly funny, big-budget comedies. Why try to crack good jokes when swinging a gun and killing fake terrorists is so much easier?

Many of Hollywood's leading action stars have been burned by attempting comedy, including the humorless Schwarzenegger (JUNIOR), Stallone (STOP OR MY MOM WILL SHOOT), Snipes (TO WONG FOO), and Gibson (BIRD ON A WIRE). But consider Bruce Willis, an action star that first came to notice as the hilarious co-star of TV's MOONLIGHTING. The summer movie season always brings a surprise or two, but few are as pleasant or enjoyable as THE KID, an old-time charmer that brings Bruce Willis back to his comedic roots.

THE KID is produced by Disney; it's even called DISNEY'S THE KID in its advertising, lest you forget its connection to Uncle Walt. Clearly, it is the latest chapter in the studio's live-action family picture lineage, which includes such hit-and-miss efforts as FREAKY FRIDAY, THE STRONGEST MAN IN THE WORLD, and the recent remake of 101 DALMATIANS. THE KID, however, contains a major structural alteration from its predecessors...besides an upgrade in artistic quality. In a word, it is Smart, with a capital S. Kids will squeal with delight watching Bruce Willis and his childhood doppelganger's adventures, but adults will get a serious kick out of this interesting, touching, amusing effort.

Its charms come from its unconventionality; THE KID starts throwing out surprises from the moment its opening credits begin. Chief among them is the writing -- a quick-witted script by Audrey Wells (GUINEVERE, THE TRUTH ABOUT CATS AND DOGS) blends fantasy and family values into an audience-friendly mix, but its multi-leveled humor and grown-up sincerity raise the intelligence of what could have been, in lesser hands, a formula picture. Director Jon Turtletaub, clearly inspired by Wells' buoyant script, peppers the film with an energetic pace and the golden-hazed congeniality he brought to his previous efforts PHENOMENON and WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING.

It's Willis, however, who pulls the rabbit out of this magical hat. As a modern-day Scrooge who turns into an old softie, Willis is the consummate comedic performer: he turns emotions on a dime, grounds his character in reality, and exhibits perfect comic timing. Had Willis not decided years ago to leave his MOONLIGHTING roots to become an action star, he could have had one of the most distinguished careers in Hollywood history. Disbelievers may scoff, but Willis in THE KID resembles no one so much as the young Jack Lemmon, charming both his costars and audiences in THE APARTMENT and SOME LIKE IT HOT.

In THE KID, Willis plays Russ Duritz, a cantankerous image consultant rapidly approaching forty. He is rich, powerful, and important -- but unhappy. He takes this unhappiness out on those around him, including his father, his photographer Amy (Emily Mortimer), and his tireless assistant Jane (Lily Tomlin). Lately, however, Russ has begun to hallucinate, seeing cherry red airplanes in the sky. Nothing prepares Russ for what's next, however...the appearance of Rusty (Spencer Breslin), a chubby-faced eight-year-old, in his living room. The problem? None, really, except that Rusty just happens to be Russ...thirty-two years ago.

This simple idea of meeting oneself opens up an enormous canvas for scriptwriter Wells. Rusty, an adorable, pudgy nerd, is part of a childhood that Russ has blocked out entirely. For Russ, his material successes as an adult compensate for his years as the playground punching bag, as well as his dateless adolescence. For Rusty, it's quite disturbing that he grows up to be a friendless, wifeless 'loser' who doesn't even own a dog or fly airplanes. The lesson becomes clear -- remember your dreams and treasure your past in order to enjoy your present.

The storyline demands, of course, that Willis have a child co-star at least as good as he is. Spencer Breslin, making his film debut, is up to the challenge. Where some kids might be intimidated by Willis' star power or his character's vitriolic bluster, Breslin is a take-no-prisoners comedian in his own right. The two play off one another with ease, like a seasoned partner team.

THE KID is being marketed as a kiddie film, but grownups on dates should give this one a shot as well. Rarely do films appear that are are much fun as this one. It's a rare chance to reexamine your own life, while laughing at the foibles of both your youth AND your adulthood. While you may not be able to talk it over with the third-grader you once were, THE KID will remind you why you liked snails, airplanes, and milk-dipped cookies in the first place.