Mac and Me (1988)

An alien trying to escape from NASA is befriended by a wheelchair-bound boy.

Director:

Stewart Raffill

Writers:

Stewart Raffill, Steve Feke

Stars:

Christine Ebersole, Jonathan Ward, Tina Caspary

2 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Christine Ebersole	...	Janet Cruise
Jonathan Ward	...	Michael Cruise
Tina Caspary	...	Courtney (as Katrina Caspary)
Lauren Stanley	...	Debbie
Jade Calegory	...	Eric Cruise
Vinnie Torrente	...	Mitford
Martin West	...	Wickett
Ivan J. Rado	...	Zimmerman
Danny Cooksey	...	Jack Jr
Laura Waterbury	...	Linda
Jack Eiseman	...	Splatter Car Driver
Barbara Allyne Bennet	...	Scientist
Richard Bravo	...	Mover #1
Gary Brockette	...	Doctor #2
Sherri Stone Butler	...	Checkout Girl

Storyline

An alien trying to escape from NASA is befriended by a wheelchair-bound boy.

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Plot Keywords:

alien stuck on earth | telepathy | back from the dead | mother son relationship | brother brother relationship | 

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Taglines:

Eric's new in the neighborhood. Mac's new on the planet.

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Genres:

Adventure | Family | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

MGM [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 August 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mac and Me

Filming Locations:

Calabasas, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$13,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$6,424,112

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mac and Me Joint Venture

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The car driven at the end by Mac's father is a, 1957 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible.

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Goofs

Eric comes up with the scheme to capture Mac with the vacuum cleaner, he has no prior knowledge that Mac can "flex" such that he would be able to be suck in. Eric wasn't around for either of the two previous scenes showing Mac being that flexible.

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Quotes

Courtney: [after Michael tells her that the FBI agents are here in McDonalds] Well, what are we gonna do?
Michael Cruise: I don't know. Just keep him dancing and they'll just think it's a teddy.

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Alternate Versions

The original Japanese VHS release of this film features an earlier cut of the film with an alternative ending where Eric is shot through the back by a cop. There are also some other minor color tinting and editing difference between the Japanese and U.S cuts.

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Connections

Referenced in The Good Neighbor (2016)

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Soundtracks

Send Out a Signal
Written and Performed by Larry Hart
Produced by Brooks Arthur and Larry Hart

User Reviews

"Mac" = Cheese.

I know it's a little silly to write a review of a film 15 years after its release. But this poorly done film made its way onto one of my cable movie channels last night, and I feel the need to have a violent, outward reaction outside of the projectile vomiting I experienced.

People, this film is bad. Really bad. Bad like "Showgirls" bad, where it's so bad, it's both insulting and laughable simultaneously. And forgive me, but anybody who finds this 95-minute commercial for McDonalds and Coca-Cola to be warm-hearted or well done in any way knows not a thing about what makes a movie good, and needs a great deal of emotional counseling.

First, let's reiterate that point about this being an extended commercial. Folks, it is. The product placement in this film is shameless.

Next, there are basic things that make a film "good," like strong acting, a well-written script, superior camerawork or quality special effects. "Mac and Me" has none of these. Wooden posts would have made for better actors. The script clunks and thuds with every ridiculous, uninspired line. And the alien creatures of the film, with their bug-eyes and protruding bellies, look about a life-like as melted candles.

I also have to make a point of just how much of a rip-off of "E.T." this film was. Not only is the plot just a poor carbon copy, but even the title of this attrocity becomes an act of thievery when it's revealed that "Mac" stands for "Mysterious Alien Creature." I'm not even the biggest fan of uber-cutesy "E.T." either, but at least there the attempts at manipulation are somewhat subtle. Here, the filmmakers fell just short of subtitles at the bottom of the screen that said "LAUGH HERE" and/or "CRY NOW."

And the cherry atop Stewart Rafill's bile sundae? The scene inside a McDonald's (Our aforementioned sponsor) when normal, everyday patrons suddenly and spontaneously spring to life into a choreographed dance sequence. Yeh, that happens at the Greasy Mac's on Route 1 near my house every freakin' day.

Saps only will buy into laughable hunk of junk... for the rest of you out there, I recommend this movie only if you're looking for new additions to your Ten Worst List.