Film Review: The Kid

HOW MUCH the viewer would understand that Russ Durtiz (Bruce Willis) the 40-year old cynical image consultant is the same Russ portrayed alongside as the eight-year old Rusty (Spencer Breslin) is a pertinent query. Actually it is one person, presented as two.

No, the older Russ is not imagining the existence of himself as an eight-year old. Nor is he hallucinating. The roly-poly junior Russ, is seen, spoken to and liked by those around him.

The small boy gets under the skin of his elderly self and into the man's psyche and helps him get cured of the deep hurt he had felt as a boy, which had been haunting him for three decades.

The result of the unsavoury experiences of childhood turn Russ into a rude, callous man, who can tear people to shreds with his caustic words and heartless actions. But deep inside, there is goodness in him. And this blossoms when his eight-year-old self turns up suddenly from nowhere, makes him a better person and vanishes. The selfish Russ and his photographer Amy, whom he is in love with but who has seen only his harsh side, get together, thanks to junior Russ, and all ends well.

The brusqueness with which Russ treats any one whom he encounters is accentuated by the dialogue that is at once pithy, stinging and funny. ``Stop crying...'', he tells an anguished woman, ``You're giving me a headache.'' This is just an example. ``The Kid'' has many such, and Bruce Willis shines in these scenes. After ``The Sixth Sense'' and ``Unbreakable'' it is another very different film for Willis.

The chubby kid, the young Russ, played by Spencer Breslin is a pleasure to watch. So much so, after a point you are worried about what might happen to him in the end.

The background score at the beginning when the credits are shown, is fascinating and aural-friendly. But towards the end, it gets a bit too loud. Even the actors seem to be screaming to be heard above the music composed by Mark Shaiman.

Overacting ``The Kid'' has. Loudness there is. Towards the end the tempo is missing and the film sags. Yet, the film has appealing aspects too.

The script by Audrey Wells has been directed by Jon Turtletaub.

``The Kid'' is a fantasy that reveals the urge of the writer to think differently. Only that the new line of thought lacks lucidity.

MALATHI RANGARAJAN

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Section  : Entertainment
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