Childish Adult
Dickie Roberts Former Child Star
Review by Ross Anthony

David Spade plays a "former" child actor. Out of work and keen on a script he doesn't have the background to understand -- namely a normal childhood. Bent on carving a little depth to himself, he decides to hire a family to re-grow up in.

Spade is both endearing and funny in his soulless childish adulthood. The film finds no gag too tacky to take on (some which press the boundaries of PG-13 and "good taste"). But in the end, it warms with a G-rated heart of gold.

Cameo's by many a child star. And stay for the credits when a platform full of former child stars sing an angst-filled anthem -- "We are the world" style. Very fun and point well taken.

Danny Bonaduce (who appears in the film) recalls how being the youngest Partridge turned his life upside down, "I remember the day after the show aired, my mom and I walked outside and there were 300 people on our lawn, Another time, during a parade a fan pulled a chunk out of my hair, and I'm thinking -- cool, other kids are going to sixth grade this morning. ÖMy career went from a real high to going down like the Hindenburg, so Dickie's story about how fleeting fame can be is definitely believable."

And Jon Lovitz (who plays Dickie's agent ) says, "It's a very sweet film, with a bit of attitude because that's the kind of comedy style that David has. David is as funny off-screen as he is on-screen, so we had a great time on the set, and it shows."



  • Dickie Roberts Former Child Star. Copyright © 2003. Rated Pg-13.
  • Starring David Spade, Mary McCormack, Jon Lovitz, Craig Bierko, Alyssa Milano, Rob Reiner.
  • Directed by Sam Weisman.
  • Screenplay by Fred Wolf & David Spade.
  • Produced by Adam Sandler & Jack Giarraputo at Paramount.



Grade..........................B+ (2.5/4)



Copyright © 2001. Ross Anthony, currently based in Los Angeles, has scripted and shot documentaries, music videos, and shorts in 35 countries across North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. For more reviews visit: RossAnthony.com


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Last Modified: Saturday, 16-Sep-2006 08:13:16 PDT