Just Like Dad (1995)

Charlie is constantly bullied at school and decides to invite a weightlifter to pose as his father at the father/son picnic. The lie spirals out of control and Charlie ends up the target of a kidnapping due to the weightlifter's troubled past.

Director:

Blair Treu

Writer:

Wayne Allan Rice (as Wayne Rice)

Stars:

Wallace Shawn, Ben Diskin, Nick Cassavetes

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Wallace Shawn	...	Stan Speigel
Ben Diskin	...	Charlie Speigel
Nick Cassavetes	...	Joe
Jarrett Lennon	...	Sherwood
Laura Innes	...	Rose
Michael Tucci	...	Frank Turner
George Fisher	...	Mole
Frank Gerrish	...	Crisco
Michael Flynn	...	Peterson
Dane Stevens	...	Hoffs (as Duane Stephens)
Brittney Lewis	...	Annie
Christy Summerhays	...	Miss Quinn
Elisabeth Lund	...	Samantha Sandrich
Nick Murdock	...	Conner
Bernie Garcia	...	Ralphie (as Bernie Ben Garcia)

Storyline

Charlie along with a close friend of his are constantly harassed by school bullies, Charlie has a crush there that he wishes to be able to court, and has a scientist and kind but pacifistic and not particularly attractive appearing father, who is also troubled every now and then by pranksters who also work there. After some failed attempts Charlie does with his father in hopes of qualifying them for the father/son picnic competition, he decides to substitute him by going to a gym and inviting a weightlifter to pose as his father at it. One he comes across agrees to his ploy, and when the competition comes, they succeed. On a count of school pressures following that, the lie about Charlie and his dad spirals out of control and Charlie ends up at the mercy of a kidnapping due to the weightlifter's past involvement with a gang of hoodlums. By that point, not only will the whole truth have to come out to everyone sooner or later whether through Charlie confessing it or by circumstances ...

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Plot Keywords:

kidnapping | father son relationship | independent film | 

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Taglines:

He wanted a superman father... what he got was a super dad!!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild violence

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 November 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Affittasi papà

Filming Locations:

Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

CINAR, Leucadia Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Cute and simple

Cute and simple story of bullies, and overcoming them. I enjoyed it not expecting much, but coming away impressed with all the lead characters performances. I recommend this for viewing with the whole family. I was happy to see Nick Casavettes turn in a very good and decent performance, as the hunk bodybuilder. Shawn Wallace gets the "hero" role and takes it on with gusto (at least for him). I was annoyed a little bit with the kid that played Charlie. He's got to learn to not be so "stereotypical Jewish" if he wishes to get ahead in Hollywood. Yes he is young but he is so paper thin in his acting at times it comes of disingenuous to me. But overall it's a cute film that gives kids a good lesson in being proud of who you & your family are, instead of always looking for greener grass.