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
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:

boy | classroom | school | boy wearing glasses | backpack | 

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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

User Reviews

Engaging and positive

This certainly is one of the better single-parent sentimentality movies. The relationship between nerdy 12-y/o Charlie (Ben Diskin) and his nerdy father (Wallace Shawn) is both intimate and mutually respectful. Far from being engaged in the usual intergenerational control struggle, they are each trying to support the other, and when they mistakenly hurt each other they are regretful. If this sounds a bit sappy, it's balanced by a sub-plot involving a reformed gangster (Nick Cassavetes) and some rough characters from his past. My personal test of a "kid movie" is always whether or not the young person is portrayed as a fully human being, with thoughts, opinions and values, and who takes independent initiatives to solve the problems the plot presents to him or her. This film gets very high marks in that regard, and is well acted and well directed (Blair Treu) to boot. Excellent viewing!

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 Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color