When Zachary Beaver Came to Town (2003)

User Rating:

6.0/10   

Director:

John Schultz

Writers:

Kimberly Willis Holt (novel) and
John Schultz (screenplay)

Genre:

Drama | Family

Plot:

Zachary Beaver, a sideshow attraction also known as the world's fattest boy, arrives in the sleepy town of Granger, Texas. |

Plot Keywords:

Friendship Between Boys | Bicycle | Fat Child | Young Boy | Child Driving Car

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Jonathan Lipnicki	...	Toby Wilson
Cody Linley	...	Cal
Jesse Pennington	...	Wayne
Jane Krakowski	...	Heather
Eric Stoltz	...	Otto
Kevin Corrigan	...	Paulie (as Kevin Fitzgerald Corrigan)
Sarah Whalen	...	Sally in the Pick-up
Louanne Stephens	...	Earline
Hudson Lee Long	...	Wylie Womack (as Hudson Long)
Lou Perryman	...	Ferris
Brady Coleman	...	Sheriff
Kathleen Lancaster	...	Kate McKnight
Amanda Alch	...	Scarlett Staling
Joanna McCray	...	Tara
David Little	...	Thoughtful farmer

MPAA:

Rated PG for some thematic elements and language.

Runtime:

85 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

UK:PG | Finland:K-7 (DVD rating) | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

Revere Pictures

Trivia:

Although this movie is supposed to take place during the hottest week of the summer, it poured rain for 11 of the 27 shooting days.

Goofs:

Continuity: When arguing with his dad after the wake, Toby is wearing brown pants, but when he walks off he is wearing blue jeans.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Troldspejlet: (#36.4)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Looking at a Man

A touching story of boys growing up.

I thought this movie was very entertaining, in the spirit of "Stand By Me" but more life-affirming.

The movie was well cast. In particular I thought the characters of Cal and Scarlett were well portrayed.

I also enjoyed the "small town" feel. (It was filmed in Granger, Texas.)

If you read the book, the movie is a little different, (It's a modern setting, and the cafe is not in a bowling alley.) but the spirit of the book is intact.