Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
James Belushi | ... |
Bill Dancer
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Kelly Lynch | ... | ||
Alisan Porter | ... | ||
John Getz | ... | ||
Fred Dalton Thompson | ... | ||
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Cameron Thor | ... | |
Branscombe Richmond | ... | ||
Steve Carell | ... |
Tesio
(as Steven Carell)
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Gail Boggs | ... | ||
Burke Byrnes | ... | ||
Viveka Davis | ... | ||
Barbara Tarbuck | ... | ||
Edie McClurg | ... |
Secretary
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Charles Adams | ... |
Prison Guard
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James W. Boinski | ... |
Pawnbroker
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Bill Dancer and his young companion Curly Sue are the classic homeless folks with hearts of gold. Their scams are aimed not at turning a profit, but at getting enough to eat. When they scam the rich and beautiful Grey Ellison into believing she backed her Mercedes into Bill, they're only hoping for a free meal. But Grey is touched, and over the objections of her snotty fiance, insist on putting the two up for the night. As they get to know each other, Bill becomes convinced that this is where Curly Sue belongs - in a home, cared for by someone that can give her the advantages that his homeless, nomadic existence lacks. He plans to leave the young girl in the care of Grey and take off.... but Curly Sue has other ideas! Written by Rick Munoz <rick.munoz@his.com>
Writer/Director John Hughes covered all bases (as usual) with this bitter-sweet "Sunday Afternoon" family movie. "Curly Sue" is a sweet, precocious orphan, cared for from infancy by "Bill". The pair live off their wits as they travel the great US of A. Fate matches them with a "very pretty" yuppie lawyer, and the rest is predictable.
Kids will love this film, as they can relate to the heroine, played by 9 year old Alisan Poter (who went on to be the "you go girl!" of Pepsi commercials). The character is supposed to be about 6 or 7, as she is urged to think about going to school. Some of her vocabulary suggests that she is every day of 9 or older.
Similar to "Home Alone", there is plenty of slap-stick and little fists punching big fat chins. Again, this is "formula" film making, aimed at a young audience. Entertaining and heartwarming. Don't look for any surprises, but be prepared to shed a tear or two.