Problem Child
PROBLEM CHILD (PG)
D: Dennis Dugan
Universal/Imagine (Robert Simonds)
US 1990
81 mins
Comedy
W: Scott Alexander & Larry Karazewski
DP: Peter Lyons Collister
Ed: Daniel Hanley & Michael Hill
Mus: Miles Goodman
John Ritter (Ben Healy), Michael Oliver (Junior), Jack
Warden (Ben Healy, Sr.), Amy Yasbeck (Flo Healy), Michael Richards (Martin Beck), Gilbert Gottfried (Igor Peabody)
Unpleasant, mean-spirited slapstick about a married couple
from a small town who adopt a mischievious boy whose mayhem tears their family apart.
The polar opposite to the same year's Home Alone (qv), the
young boy in this comedy is all mayhem with no redeeming qualities.
Only John Ritter makes it through the film as a likeable
character.
Little devils might enjoy it, but for adults, it's as
low-brow as the depths of hell.
3/10
PROBLEM CHILD 2 (PG)
D: Brian Levant
UIP/Universal/Imagine (Robert Simonds)
US 1991
91 mins
Comedy
W: Scott Alexander & Larry
Karazewski
DP: Peter Smokler
Ed: Lois Freeman Cox & Robert P.
Seppey
Mus: David Kitay
John Ritter (Ben Healy), Michael Oliver (Junior), Jack
Warden (Ben Healy, Sr.), Laraine Newman (LaWanda Dumore), Amy Yasbeck (Annie Young), Ivyann Schwan (Trixie Young), Gilbert Gottfried (Ivor Peabody)
If it were ever possible, a sequel more mean-spirited
than the first film.
Junior, still as mischievious as ever, manipulates his
adoptive dad into a relationship with a woman with an even more mischievious girl, but not all goes to plan.
Rushed sequel with recycled jokes and unpleasant
characters. Like the first film, little kids might find the chaos hilarious, but others will be watching through gritted teeth.
2/10
