Ri¢hie Ri¢h (1994)

A rich young boy finds his family targeted in an inside job and must use his cunning to save them.

Director:

Donald Petrie

Writers:

Neil Tolkin (story), Tom S. Parker (screenplay)

Stars:

Macaulay Culkin, Edward Herrmann, John Larroquette

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Macaulay Culkin	...	Richie Rich
John Larroquette	...	Van Dough
Edward Herrmann	...	Mr. Rich
Christine Ebersole	...	Mrs. Rich
Jonathan Hyde	...	Cadbury
Michael McShane	...	Professor Keenbean
Chelcie Ross	...	Ferguson
Mariangela Pino	...	Diane
Stephi Lineburg	...	Gloria
Michael Maccarone	...	Tony
Joel Robinson	...	Omar
Jonathan Hilario	...	Pee Wee
Reggie Jackson	...	Baseball Coach
Claudia Schiffer	...	Aerobics Instructor
Wanda Christine	...	Newswoman at Factory (as Wandachristine)

Storyline

The richest kid in the world, Richie Rich, has everything he wants, except companionship. While representing his father at a factory opening, he sees some kids playing baseball across the street. Richie wants to join in, but they don't want him around. When a plot to kill the Rich family is devised by Rich Industries' top executive, Laurence Van Dough, Richie must take over control of the company while searching for his lost parents with the help of some new friends.

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Plot Keywords:

villain | head of security | mansion | gardening | eavesdropping | 

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Taglines:

Five buddies, one butler, and a dog on an adventure so big... Even the world's richest kid can't afford to miss it.

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Genres:

Comedy | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild violence and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

David Thewlis was offered the part of the butler.

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Goofs

When Professor Keenbean is being filmed standing next to the machine dispensing bowling balls, he goes to switch it off with empty arms, but when we switch to the next shot of him he has a bowling ball in his arms and drops it on his foot.

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Quotes

Van Dough: [while interrogating Professor Keenbean] You told me what this machine can do to a person. How'd you like to spend the rest of your life as a bedpan?

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Crazy Credits

The film is bookended with the opening and closing of a vault at the opening titles and closing credits.

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Alternate Versions

The 2004 DVD release replaces John Larraquette's line "shit" to "shoot". All current prints contain the unedited line.

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Connections

Features North by Northwest (1959)

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Soundtracks

Claudia's Theme
Written by Steve Tyrell and Guy Moon
Produced by Steve Tyrell

User Reviews

Personally I thought this film was merely okay

I didn't absolutely hate Richie Rich, but for me it wasn't that great either. As usual, there were some good things, but some not so good things as well.

THE GOOD THINGS:

1) Macaulay Culkin, personally I think he is better an actor than people give him credit for. He is one of the main reasons why I love the first two Home Alone movies so much. Here, he gives a very spirited lead performance, admittedly not as cute as he was when he was starring in underrated gems like Uncle Buck, but he shows once again what a talented actor he was.

2) Jonathan Hyde as the butler comes very close to stealing the show, a very funny and sly performance. Also Edward Hermann and Christine Ebersole give humorous performances, while John Larroquette plays the villain of the piece more than adequately.

3) The scenery is quite impressive, captured well by the breezy cinematography. The Biltmore estate was gorgeous.

4) The soundtrack was decent, nice background music especially.

5) I liked the moral the film taught; All the money in the world can't make you happy, thinking about it that is true.

THE NOT SO GOOD THINGS:

1) While I liked the moral of the film, the story itself is predictable and somewhat contrived. it probably doesn't help you have seen it all before.

2) The script is quite weak in general. Don't get me wrong there were some good spots like "Oh my god I look like Michael Jackson!" but the jokes are admittedly very silly and juvenile, and the scripting does fall in the danger of becoming clichéd.

3) The pacing. Now I don't mind films that move fast. I do have more of a problem if the pacing is TOO fast, despite the feel good nature of the film, and its valiant attempt to rise above superficial material, the film feels a little too rushed, the ending particularly felt skimmed over.

4) The characters feel rather stereotypical. Maybe that is an unfair complaint as it probably couldn't be avoided, but I couldn't help thinking yeah I recognise that type of character.

Overall, definitely not a bad film, worth watching at least once, but I personally didn't find it that great. 5/10 Bethany Cox

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Latin

Release Date:

21 December 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Richie Rich

Filming Locations:

Greystone Park & Mansion - 905 Loma Vista Drive, Beverly Hills, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$40,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,830,302, 26 December 1994

Gross USA:

$38,087,756

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$38,087,756

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Silver Pictures, Davis Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby DTS Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1