Carpool (1996)

User Rating:

4.5/10   

Director:

Arthur Hiller

Writer (WGA):

Don Rhymer (written by)

Release Date:

23 August 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

A dad in a hurry. A man on the run. And five kids with an attitude.

Plot:

A man with an important business meeting finds himself having to take care of the carpool for the neighborhood school children when his wife gets sick...

Plot Keywords:

Robbery | Chase | Child | Meter Maid | Carnival

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Tom Arnold	...	Franklin Laszlo
David Paymer	...	Daniel Miller
Rhea Perlman	...	Martha the Meter Maid
Rod Steiger	...	Mr. Hammerman
Kim Coates	...	Det. Lt. Erdman
Rachael Leigh Cook	...	Kayla
Mikey Kovar	...	Andrew Miller
Micah Gardener	...	Bucky Miller
Jordan Warkol	...	Travis aka Frog Boy (as Jordan Blake Warkol)
Colleen Rennison	...	Chelsea, Kayla's Sister
Ian Tracey	...	Neil
John Tench	...	Jerry
Stellina Rusich	...	Mrs. Daniel Miller
David Kaye	...	Scott Lewis, Ch. 3 News
Obba Babatundé	...	Jeffery, Miller's Boss at Bauer & Cole

MPAA:

Rated PG for crude humor, mild language and comic action.

Runtime:

89 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:PG | Argentina:Atp | Canada:PG (Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Finland:K-8 (video premiere) | Spain:7 | UK:PG | USA:PG (certificate #34680)

Filming Locations:

British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Monarchy Enterprises B.V.

Trivia:

Theatrically released with Superior Duck (1996) as the preceding cartoon.

Goofs:

Continuity: After the confrontation with the meter maid in the mall, Franklin chases down the van, climbs in, gets into the front passenger seat and fastens his seatbelt. After they drive up to the second floor, Daniel says, "Fasten your seatbelts" and Franklin is shown fastening his seatbelt again.

Quotes:

Franklin: Where are your donuts?
Todd: Sir, we're a gourmet market.
Franklin: Okay, where are your gourmet donuts?

Movie Connections:

References "The A-Team" (1983)

Soundtrack:

CANDY CORNER

Definitely not high-octane entertainment but not bad, either

Daniel (David Paymer) is a businessman who works long hours. One morning, his wife gets the flu, leaving him responsible for getting his children dressed, fed, and dropped off at school. He fumes about this, for he has an all-important meeting at ll:00 am. Nevertheless, he piles his two boys, along with three neighbor kids (its Dan's turn to be the carpool driver) into the van and stops for doughnuts for everyone to have a "good" breakfast. Trouble is, at the bakery, there is a hold-up, with Franklin (Tom Arnold) taking the money and taking Daniel hostage, too, to complete a getaway. Franklin is really a nice man but his failing carnival show necessitated the immediate need for funds. Daniel is aghast for he still has his meeting looming on the horizon. After having the kids spray-paint the van purple, to allude authorities, Daniel, Franklin, and the kiddies drive around and around. Will they be caught? And, why does Daniel's children like Franklin better than they like their own father? This movie has a good concept that is, unfortunately, not matched by the film's ultimate execution. The idea that a robber would end up in a mundane carpool routine is infectious but the film's plot line runs thin, at times. Nevertheless, Paymer is a good performer, as is Arnold, who always garners smiles. The children are lively and fun, as well, and the movie's costumes, scenery, and photography make for a good-looking film. To be brief, families will probably enjoy a showing of this flick, for it has humor, chase-scenes, car crashes, and other attention-getting devices. But, it is doubtful that anyone will ask for a repeat showing.