BOGUS
A film review by Michael Redman
Copyright 1996 Michael Redman
*1/2 (out of ****)
Because of the numerous possibilities of headlines and comments of a negative nature, if I were making a film called "Bogus", Id go out of my way to make sure that the film was one of quality. As usual, the producer and director didnt beat a path to my door asking for advice. Too bad.
Little boy Albert (Haley Joel Osment)'s Las Vegas chorus girl mother dies in a traffic accident and he is sent to live with her lifeless adoptive sister Harriet (Whoopi Goldberg). Albert is frightened and doesnt want to go, but finds an imaginary friend, Bogus (Gerard Depardieu) to help him on his way.
The subject of the imaginary friends of children and adults is an intriguing one, worthy of imaginative exploration. But dont look for it here amid the dull pap. Often in films with kids, the problem is with the overly-cute children. At least you dont have to worry about that here. Osment has his wide-eyed look down fairly well, but most of the time hes just there.
Goldberg isnt much better. Her film career has been dramatically uneven running from the listless comedies to fine performances in "Boys On The Side", "The Color Purple" and others. Her appearance here is flat, as if she had realized what a drab vehicle she was in and attempted to match it.
The only semi-bright spot is Depardieu. His larger than life man-child is occasionally delightful and comical. Dressed in an enormous floppy trench coat that frequently seems to be going in a different direction than he is, the French actor has a flair for physical humor. Unfortunately he can't pull the movie out of itself.
Theres a powerful cinematic short-cut that is becoming over-used and trite. During this film, we see scenes from "Harvey" on the television. What this segment of Jimmy Stewart talking to his imaginary six foot rabbit friend is supposed to do is bring us to an "Oh yeah, 'Harvey'! That was a great film and was about the same subject as this one is so I should transfer my warm feelings about 'Harvey' to this movie." state of being. I first remember seeing this used effectively in "Close Encounters", but here it seems like a sleazy trick.
Even worse than attending a film that you suspect might be mediocre is seeing one that, based on the cast and story, you expect a magical time and having it turn out to be a numbing experience. Stay home and rent "Harvey"; youll have a much better time.
As alluded to in the first paragraph, "Bogus" is, indeed.
[This appeared in the 9/12/96 "Bloomington Voice", Bloomington, Indiana. Michael Redman can be reached at mredman@bvoice.com]
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