Larger Than Life (1996)

A motivational speaker discovers that the inheritance his father left for him is in the form of an elephant.

Director:

Howard Franklin

Writers:

Roy Blount Jr. (screenplay), Pen Densham (story)

Stars:

Bill Murray, Matthew McConaughey, Jerry Adler

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jerry Adler	...	Event Coordinator
Bill Murray	...	Jack Corcoran
Richard Alan Baker	...	Richie
Richie Allan	...	Man in Audience
Kimberly Thornton	...	Pyramid Woman
Anita Gillette	...	Mom
Maureen Mueller	...	Celeste
Jeremy Piven	...	Walter
Alex Neiwerth	...	Matthew
Alfa-Betty Olsen	...	Party Guest
Carrie Houk	...	Receptionist
Harve Presnell	...	Trowbridge Bowers
Tai	...	Vera
Earl Billings	...	Cop
Jeannine Hutchings	...	Outraged Woman

Storyline

Motivational Speaker Jack Corcoran is determined to get his career off the ground, but the biggest gigs he can get are the ones nobody wants. Then one day, he receives a telegram that his circus clown father has passed away, and has left a "huge" inheritance. When he gets there, he finds that his inheritance has come in the form of a elephant that was his father's pride and joy in circus acts. His main intention is to sell the pachyderm off. Jack must choose between loud and rude zookeeper Mo or attractive animal show owner Terry. As the two trek through the country Jack and the elephant develop a bond, and it changes his approach on life for the better.

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Plot Keywords:

rescued by a elephant | rescued by elephant | rescued by an animal | elephant master | circus elephant | 

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Taglines:

He's got 5 days to go coast-to-coast. (There's just one BIG problem.)

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Genres:

Comedy | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Vera was actually named Tai (born November 4, 1968), a celebrity Asian elephant best known for playing Bo Tat in the film Operation Dumbo Drop (1995), Vera in Larger than Life (1996) and Rosie in Water for Elephants (2011). Tai was owned by Have Trunk Will Travel, Inc., a privately funded organization that generates income through elephant rides, shows and events, as well as film and commercial appearances.

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Goofs

As they are walking across the desert, there are multiple sets of elephant tracks in the sand, then on the far shot tracks in the sand from the camera crew.

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Quotes

Tip Tucker: We got Jack and Tip in the cab on the road. You and me, pal.
Jack Corcoran: Tip, do you ever sleep?
Tip Tucker: Oh yeah, I slept last week.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Larger Than Life/Unhook the Stars/Romeo+Juliet/Dear God/Vertigo (1996)

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Soundtracks

Psycho
Written by Leon Payne
Performed by Jack Kittel
Courtesy of Ginn Music Group

User Reviews

Better than I thought it would be

As with most animal/comedian movies, I thought this one would be a bomb. However, it wasn't as bad as I expected. The plot is decent and the funny parts are mostly funny, instead of just stupid. Kids and adults both will enjoy the elephant and the occasional outdoor scene, as Bill Murray and his new friend trek across the beautiful American countryside. This movie also touches on serious topics like animal abuse. Bill Murray is funny as usual and Matthew McConaughey puts in an unusual and funny performance. This movie isn't going to win any Oscars, but provides good entertainment, without resorting to sex or violence. I gave it 7 out of 10.

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 November 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Large as Life

Filming Locations:

Denver, Colorado, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,779,504, 3 November 1996

Gross USA:

$8,315,693

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$8,315,693

Company Credits

Production Co:

United Artists Pictures, Trilogy Entertainment Group, RCS

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

DTS DTS-Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1