The last time Bruce Willis teamed up with a kid, the movie not only became one of the highest grossing films of all time, it was also nominated for six Academy Awards. The Sixth Sense reinvigorated Willis’ career and hey, if the formula worked once, it should work again. Right? But this isn’t just any kid, it’s a family comedy called Disney’s The Kid.
Bruce Willis stars as Russ Duritz, he’s an image consultant which basically means he tells other people how to dress and how to act. He masterfully creates a phony, public persona to replace the real personalities of famous jerks. And on top of it, Russ himself is a real prick.
Magically, one day, a little eight year-old boy appears in Russ’ house. But this isn’t just any boy, it’s Rusty, yep, it’s Russ as a little boy. His “inner child” has somehow come into reality.
Neither Russ or Rusty is particularly happy with each other. Russ is a 40 year-old loser who has a lame job and doesn’t even have a wife or a dog. Rusty is a little pud who gets his a*s kicked at school.
The Kid is another one of those modern fairy tales in the vein of “Groundhog Day.” You know, bizarre miracle occurs with no explanation whatsoever forcing the victim of said miracle to examine his or her life. So, Russ takes a serious look at his co-worker and sometime girlfriend Amy, played by Demi Moore look-a-like Emily Mortimer. Could she be the woman for him? His inner child thinks so.
Spencer Breslin as little Rusty is actually less annoying than other little kids we’ve seen in recent movies like Anakin Skywalker played by Jake Lloyd. While there are some genuine laughs, overall this is lightweight family entertainment, meaning, when you see this movie on video, you can watch it while you fold laundry or read a magazine and it won’t be that irritating.
Begrudgingly, I have to admit that this film is kind of sweet and cute like the kid in the movie. In fact, my kids liked it as well, but my kids are in elementary school and they like to eat paste.
