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(US) Directed by Norman Jewison (Moonstruck, The Hurricane)
Cast: Whoopi Goldberg, Gérard Depardieu, Haley Joel Osment (Sixth Sense)
Plot: (from imdb.com) Seven year-old Albert (Osment) is the son of a Las Vegas circus performer. When she is killed in a car wreck, Albert is sent to live with his mother's foster sister, Harriet Franklin (Goldberg), a no-nonsense businesswoman struggling in New Jersey. Albert hates it with the dour Harriet, but takes refuge in the company of Bogus (Depardieu), a flamboyant, gentle, loving, and altogether imaginary Frenchman. With Bogus's help, Albert can perhaps come to terms with his mother's death, and Harriet with her own loss of childhood innocence.
Trivia: Name that Kid: This was the first big film for child actor Haley Joel Osment who has since gone on to have a huge career.
When cultures collide: Supposedly Depardieu arrived for production after a bender in Cuba. Whoopi took him to the gym to whip him into shape.
Critial Consensus: Decent family fare and strong performances, particularly by Depardieu in a delightful and compassionate role, but the film is lessened by a predictable script and general lack of inventiveness.
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