Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (2003) Rated: PG-13 for crude and sex-related humor, language and drug references. Runtime: 99 mins. Director: Sam Weisman Writer: Fred Wolf (written by) & David Spade (written by) Cast: David Spade; Doris Roberts; Jon Lovitz....complete cast Genre: Comedy Tagline: 50 million people used to watch him on TV. Now he washes their cars.
Memorable Quote: This is Nuckin' Futs!
Eric's reel commentary: ...Fans of David Spade and/or Happy Madison productions will love this movie......full review
by Eric M. Croas
At 35, Dickie Roberts, played by David Spade, wants to recapture the fame of his childhood. The film opens with a Celebrity Boxing match between Roberts and Emmanuelle Lewis. After Roberts is embarrassed by a man half his size, he is all the more determined to recapture lost fame.
When Roberts finds out that Rob Reiner is casting a new film, he gets his agent, played by Jon Lovitz, to arrange an audition. At the same time, Roberts works the Hollywood grapevine to find someone who can call Reiner and arrange a meeting for him.
The vine method pays off, but he finds out that he is clueless on how to be a “normal” guy. This is the one crucial piece that keeps Roberts from receiving the role. When Reiner mentions that he will not cast the role for a few months, Roberts decides to sell the book rights to his autobiography, and he will hire a family to teach him how to relive a “normal” childhood.
There is a great story arc as the audience gets to watch as Roberts helps the family as much as they help him. Fans of David Spade and/or Happy Madison productions will love this movie.
Extras on the DVD include featurettes, an extended version of the movie’s closing song sung by former child stars, deleted scenes and audio commentary.
Eric M. Croas
Screen formats: Widescreen Anamorphic 1.85:1
Subtitles: English; Closed Captioned.
Sound: English: Dolby Digital 5.1; English: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; French: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Other Features: Color; interactive menus; scene access; director's commentary; writer/actor commentary; featurettes; deleted scenes; music video; trailer.
Commentaries:
With director Sam Weisman as he discusses location and production techniques.
With David Spade and screenwriter Fred Wolf. The funnier and more interesting of the two commentaries.
Featurettes:
Reel Comedy; Dickie Roberts: Approximately 18 minute featurette hosted by David Spade and Craig Berko that looks at all the child stars who appeared in the movie.
The True Hollywood Story: Making-of featurette with Sam Weisman, David Spade, Fred Wolf.
Pencil Dickie: Writing the Story: 12 minute featurette with Spade and Wolf who talk about their writing relationship.
Behind Child Stars On Your Television - 7-minute commentary on the making of the Child Stars on Your Television music video.
Deleted Scenes: A total of 9 deleted scenes, each approximately 1 minute long.
Music Video:
Child Stars on Your Television - 6 minute video that features dozens of child stars.
Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (2003)
