The Kid Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A grumpy image consultant gets visited by his younger self who judges him for not having a dog, leading to a series of events that make him slightly less grumpy and finally get a dog.

🍿 The Kid: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Russ Duritz

Russ Duritz (Bruce Willis) is a successful but cynical image consultant nearing his 40th birthday. He’s wealthy but isolated, lacking a meaningful personal life, a wife, a dog, and estranged from his father. He seems to have blocked out much of his childhood, focusing solely on his high-powered career.

The Arrival of Rusty

One night, Russ is startled by an intruder in his home, who turns out to be an eight-year-old version of himself named Rusty (Spencer Breslin). Rusty is everything Russ isn’t: optimistic, a bit chubby, and full of childhood dreams. He’s shocked to see that his older self hasn’t become a pilot, doesn’t have a dog named Chester, and isn’t married.

Confronting the Past

Rusty’s presence forces Russ to confront his past and examine the choices he’s made. They embark on a journey of self-discovery, with Rusty providing an innocent and unvarnished perspective on Russ’s life. They visit locations from Russ’s childhood, gradually unlocking forgotten memories.

Amy’s Influence

Amy (Emily Mortimer), Russ’s assistant, is drawn to Rusty and sees in him the qualities that are missing in the older Russ. She becomes a vital part of their journey, offering support and a different perspective on Russ’s life. Rusty even attempts to propose to Amy before Russ can.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Russ Duritz (Bruce Willis): A cynical image consultant who confronts his childhood self and re-evaluates his life choices.
• Rusty Duritz (Spencer Breslin): The eight-year-old version of Russ who appears to help his older self reconnect with his inner child and lost dreams.
• Amy (Emily Mortimer): Russ’s kind and understanding assistant who sees the good in him and becomes involved in his journey of self-discovery.
• Janet (Lily Tomlin): Russ’s pragmatic and long-suffering secretary who observes the unfolding events with a skeptical yet supportive eye.
• Sam Duritz (Daniel von Bargen): Russ’s estranged father with whom he needs to reconcile to fully heal from his past.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Rusty Duritz: “So, I’m forty, I’m not married, I don’t fly jets, and I don’t have a dog? I grow up to be a loser.” – Rusty expresses his disappointment upon seeing what his future holds for him.
• Amy: “Maybe you needed him more than he needed you.” – Amy suggests that Russ benefited more from Rusty’s visit than the other way around, prompting self-reflection.
• Russ Duritz: “Time is money, and my time is worth a lot more than it costs to pay a mover.” – This quote shows Russ’ initial cynical and materialistic view of life.
• Older Russ: “You’re having hallucinations for a reason. You need to figure out what that reason is.” – This illustrates how Russ eventually comes to understand the purpose of Rusty’s visit and the need for self-discovery.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $65,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $69,691,949
• Worldwide Gross: $110,317,580

💥 The Kid Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I’ll admit, this movie got me right in the feels. Seeing Bruce Willis, usually the tough guy, be so vulnerable with his younger self was surprisingly emotional. That scene where they both realize the source of his twitch? Waterworks! It’s a bit cheesy, sure, but sometimes you just need a movie that reminds you to check in with your inner kid and maybe adopt a dog.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Bruce Willis”
  • “People who enjoy heartwarming comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in movies about self-discovery”
  • “Families looking for a PG-rated movie night”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Brief scenes of bullying”
  • “Reference to a parent’s illness/death”
  • “Emotional scenes related to childhood trauma”

Professional Reviews

• Common Sense Media: “Disney’s The Kid is a sentimental, high-concept family film that is both funny and heart-warming, though some might find it too saccharine. Bruce Willis delivers a strong comedic performance, and the film has a positive message about connecting with your inner child.
• Variety: “The film works as escapist entertainment and has some touching moments, but it ultimately lacks the depth to resonate beyond its simple message. Willis and Breslin have good chemistry, but the story feels somewhat predictable.
• RogerEbert.com: “This film is charming and generally well-acted, but doesn’t fully explore its interesting premise. The movie is sweet, but it could have been smarter and more daring.

Audience Reactions

The heartwarming storyline and message of self-acceptance really resonated with viewers.: Many people found the movie to be a feel-good experience that was both funny and thought-provoking.

Bruce Willis’ performance was a surprising departure from his usual action roles, and he showcased his comedic talent effectively.: The chemistry between Bruce Willis and Spencer Breslin was praised, making the relationship between the two characters believable and enjoyable.

Overall Consensus: A heartwarming, if somewhat predictable, family film with a positive message about self-acceptance and the importance of connecting with your inner child. Bruce Willis delivers a solid performance, and the movie offers a feel-good viewing experience.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Matthew Perry makes an uncredited cameo as Mr. Vivian, a customer in a store. He accepted minimum wage for the role after befriending Bruce Willis on the set of ‘The Whole Nine Yards’.”
• “The movie explores themes of childhood dreams, regret, and the possibility of redemption, resonating with audiences who reflect on their own life choices.”
• “The character of Russ is a left-handed person however the kid version of Russ ‘Rusty’, played by Spencer Breslin, is right-handed.”
• “During filming, Spencer Breslin (Rusty) celebrated his 8th birthday.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Kid?

Currently, ‘The Kid’ (2000) is available for purchase or rental on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check these services for availability and pricing in your region. It might also be available on demand through your cable provider.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Kid, you might like these similar films:

• Big (1988): Both films deal with the concept of a child suddenly becoming an adult and having to navigate the challenges and responsibilities that come with it.
• 17 Again (2009): A man gets a second chance to relive his youth and fix his life choices. It shares the theme of self-reflection and changing one’s future.
• Click (2006): Though a different genre, it similarly deals with a workaholic adult given a chance to revisit his past and see the impact of his choices on his family life.
• Frequency (2000): This explores the same theme of the past and future with the opportunity to change the path of your life.

🛒 The Kid Related Products

• The Kid [Blu-ray]: Own the movie in high definition! Perfect for revisiting this heartwarming story anytime. The Blu-ray includes bonus features like behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
• Disney Pixar Toy Story Wood Block Cart: Enjoy blocks of 30, with the Toy Story theme, the kid in us comes out, and also the love for the film, and Disney.
• Funko Pop! Bruce Willis: The Pop! figures of Bruce Willis as himself, a toy figure to be collected and also shared with all fans of his work.
• Disney’s The Kid: Novelization: Relive the heartwarming story of ‘The Kid’ through this novelization! Dive deeper into the characters’ thoughts and emotions, and experience the magic of the film in a whole new way.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Kid features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Up, Up, and Away” – performed by The 5th Dimension
• “This Kiss” – performed by Faith Hill

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Charlie Chaplin – The Kid – Pancake Scene

Ever wonder what makes ‘The Kid’ so iconic? This pancake scene perfectly captures the movie’s heartwarming and comedic charm – seriously, you’ve gotta see Chaplin’s expressions!

✨ Rate