Bogus (1996)

Recently orphaned, a young boy is taken in by his godmother who is shocked to realize that she can see the boy's imaginary friend: a flamboyant, French magician named Bogus.

Director:

Norman Jewison

Writers:

Jeff Rothberg (story), Francis X. McCarthy Jr. (story) (as Francis X. McCarthy)

Stars:

Whoopi Goldberg, Gérard Depardieu, Haley Joel Osment

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Whoopi Goldberg	...	Harriet Franklin
Gérard Depardieu	...	Bogus (as Gerard Depardieu)
Haley Joel Osment	...	Albert Franklin
Andrea Martin	...	Penny
Nancy Travis	...	Lorraine Franklin
Denis Mercier	...	Monsieur Antoine
Ute Lemper	...	Babette
Sheryl Lee Ralph	...	Ruth Clark
Barbara Hamilton	...	Mrs. Partridge
Al Waxman	...	School Principal
Elizabeth Harpur	...	Ellen
Fiona Reid	...	School Teacher
Kevin Jackson	...	Bob Morrison
Richard Portnow	...	M. Clay Thrasher
Mo Gaffney	...	Travellers Aide - New Jersey

Storyline

Seven year-old Albert is the son of a Las Vegas circus performer. When she is killed in a car wreck, Albert is sent to live with his mother's foster sister, Harriet Franklin, a no-nonsense businesswoman struggling in New Jersey. Albert hates it with the dour Harriet, but takes refuge in the company of Bogus, a flamboyant, gentle, loving, and altogether imaginary Frenchman. With Bogus's help, Albert can perhaps come to terms with his mother's death, and Harriet with her own loss of childhood innocence.

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Plot Keywords:

close up of eyes | character name as title | magician | imaginary friend | circus | 

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Taglines:

If you believe in only one thing, believe in Bogus.

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements and some mild language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Denis Mercier dubbed himself in the French version.

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Goofs

As they drive away from the airport, the boom mic is clearly reflected in car windows.

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Quotes

Harriet Franklin: This isn't going to work. I haven't had a conversation with a child since I was a child.

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Connections

Features Ginger and Fred (1986)

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Soundtracks

The Continental
Written by Con Conrad and Herb Magidson

User Reviews

Was glad to stumble on this one!

It is extremely rare that I stop on any movie while channel-surfing. This one caught my eye because of Haley Joel Osmont...this kid was amazing even at five years old! And of course Whoopi is great as always. I even liked Gerard in this one...he generally just rubs me the wrong way in his other movies for some reason. He was perfectly cast as Mr. Bogus.

This movie will be magical for those who remember (or who need to remember) those imaginary friends which got us through various growing pains. It is sweet, light-hearted, and rates 10 out of 10 on the "warm-fuzzy" factor. Even my husband thought it was cute, and he's not normally into these kind of movies. Loved it!

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros. [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

6 September 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bogus

Filming Locations:

New Jersey, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,895,593, 8 September 1996

Gross USA:

$4,357,406

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,357,406

Company Credits

Production Co:

New Regency Productions, New Regency Productions, Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1