When Zachary Beaver Came to Town (2003)

Zachary Beaver, a sideshow attraction known as the world's fattest boy, arrives in the sleepy town of Granger, Texas.

Director:

John Schultz

Writers:

John Schultz (written for the screen by), Kimberly Willis Holt (novel)

Stars:

Jonathan Lipnicki, Cody Linley, Jesse Pennington

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jonathan Lipnicki	...	Toby
Cody Linley	...	Cal
Jesse Pennington	...	Wayne
Jane Krakowski	...	Heather
Eric Stoltz	...	Otto
Kevin Corrigan	...	Paulie (as Kevin Fitzgerald Corrigan)
Sarah Whalen	...	Sally in the Pick-up
Louanne Stephens	...	Earline
Hudson Lee Long	...	Wylie Womack (as Hudson Long)
Lou Perryman	...	Ferris
Brady Coleman	...	Sheriff
Kathleen Lancaster	...	Kate McKnight
Amanda Alch	...	Scarlet
Joanna McCray	...	Tara
David Little	...	Thoughtful farmer

Storyline

Zachary Beaver, a sideshow attraction known as the world's fattest boy, arrives in the sleepy town of Granger, Texas.

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Plot Keywords:

sideshow | granger texas | obesity | friendship between boys | child driving car | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some thematic elements and language

Details

Official Sites:

Echo Bridge Entertainment [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 October 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

A pufi bölcs

Filming Locations:

Coupland, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Revere Pictures, Zachary

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

When the movie was shooting in Austin, Texas, the left-over food from the set was recovered and used to feed the hungry of Austin. This was done with help of Rock and Wrap it Up! - an organization that helps fight hunger by delivering unused but good food to the hungry.

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Goofs

When Toby is walking up to Cal's house to give him the letter, you can clearly see the dolly tracks on the road.

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Connections

Featured in Troldspejlet: Episode #36.4 (2006)

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Soundtracks

Le Nozze Di Figaro
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by St. Petersburg Festival Symphony Orchestra
Provided by Megatrax Production Music / Unlimited Classics

User Reviews

A nice production of a good book.

I went to the October 10th premiere of the movie in Austin with my two sons. We had been waiting for what seemed an eternity for it to finally be released. It still isn't, but at least we got to see it.

The movie is very good. There are several changes from the book, most obvious being the modern setting instead of the 1970s. That change didn't hurt the story in any way. Another noticeable change in my opinion was the shifting of emphasis on the subplots. Don't get me wrong, they were all there. Some were simply less important or more important in the movie than they were in the book. Once again, that didn't seem to hurt the story.

The movie was well cast. The important characters were very nicely realized. The children in the movie are a very talented group. I especially enjoyed the portrayal of Cal.

I would like to see the movie again in a regular movie theater. There were moments when the picture got a little blurry, but I honestly believe that it was the projector at the Paramount. You could see that someone was trying to keep it focused. Just the same, the actual camera work on the movie was awesome. Everything has a vitality of realism that made me feel like I was standing there watching the story unfold.

My favorite scene of the movie was when Toby's anger over Cal's brother's death, Zachary Beaver's heartbreak at feeling he has been blown off by his new friends, and the funeral were all woven together. I sat in my seat sobbing with the characters. It was so very well filmed. I never cry at movies. This one got me.

I hope this film gets a distributor. I want to see it again.