Sometimes you laugh at the movies because you're seeing a comedy. Sometimes you cry because you're seeing a tragedy. But sometimes you end up crying because the movie is the most tragic attempt at comedy you've ever seen.
"Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star" is actor David Spade's latest attempt at a starring role. Like his previous attempt, "Joe Dirt," "Dickie Roberts" is produced by Adam Sandler and co-written by Spade and Fred Wolf. The movie looked hilarious in previews and trailers but fell short of expectations when it came down to showtime.
Don't get me wrong, Spade is a funny actor - when in a supporting role (a la "Tommy Boy"). But in starring roles, he loses focus and winds up resorting to a predictable plot chock full of mindless gags. You like him in the way you like an over-excited, slobbering puppy who needs a home.
In "Dickie Roberts," Spade plays a washed-up former child actor that, doggone it, has done growed up. Now a 35-year-old parking valet, he decides to attempt a comeback by auditioning for a role on the big screen. The problem is, the role requires a "normal" person, which Dickie is not.
Cue the brain light bulb. Ding! In a fit of sheer brilliance, Dickie decides to hire a nice, nonmovie-star family to "adopt" him. Dickie then pretends to be a kid again in hopes that reliving his childhood among the sane will in turn make him normal so he can score the role of his dreams.
In his quest for normality, Dickie comes across obstacles that make his adjustment to the average life harder than he thought. One-liners from smart-ass "siblings" (Scott Terra and Jenna Boyd), disapproving glances from a ridiculously hot mom (Mary McCormack) and various physical confrontations with hoses, bicycles and stilts give poor Dickie a run for his money.
Characters played by the well-known Rob Reiner, Alyssa Milano and Jon Lovitz up the star power of the movie. This is one thing the film has going for itself.
If you see "Dickie Roberts," make sure you stay for the credits at the end of the movie in which a large group of actual former child stars such as Danny Bonaduce join for a "Hallelujah chorus"-type song and dance for a few last laughs.
Seeing them sing and rap the woes of being an ex-child star made the movie almost bearable.
