What makes it different from others?

Really Surprised!

Let's be realistic.

Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.

"The Beniker Gang" is definitely agreeable family fare, a feature film adaptation of the novel "Dear Lola" by Judie Angell. Andrew McCarthy stars as Arthur Beniker, an 18 year old at an orphanage who is very close to some of his fellow orphans: Cassie (Jennifer Dundas), Edmund (Charles Fields), James (Jeff Alan-Lee), and Ben (Danny Pintauro). So much so, in fact, that the five of them are willing to do anything not to let their little "family" get split up. One day, they make a break from the orphanage, and travel cross country to set down roots in Missouri. They face snobbery from suspicious local townspeople, and Arthurs' capabilities as a supervisory figure come into question, although he's actually maintained a good living as the person behind the nationally syndicated "Dear Lola" advice column.The film isn't exactly all that sensible, or realistic, in some ways. But the five young actors in the primary roles are just so damn appealing that you do buy into them as a family of sorts. They also have good chemistry with each other. (One oddball character quirk that the story gives Ben is that he has a tendency to eat paper(!).) You also certainly understand Arthurs' decision to want to plead his case in court.This is ultimately a warm-hearted fable, with adequate pacing, and decent location shooting in New Jersey and New York state. It's not subtle when it wants to manipulate you, and some viewers may have a hard time keeping the tears at bay. But it does also have a good sense of humour, and at its best it can be pretty charming. One twist well into the story has Alan-Lee revealing his past, born into a carny background, and toting around a makeup kit that could easily rival the legendary Lon Chaneys'.The performances are wonderful right across the board. McCarthy is excellent, and the supporting cast features a number of familiar, reliable actors: Will Patton, George Martin, J.T. Walsh, William Duell, Bill Smitrovich, and Anthony Heald.Appropriate viewing for your younger family members.Seven out of 10.

These are one of the 1980's movies that aren't pointless. This movie I like because the actors and actresses portray themselves with real feelings. They really have to fight for themselves in order to keep together. Of course Edmond may get into his fights, Ben eats his paper, and Cassie feels unpopular, but that is what makes the movie real. Whoever says this movie is boring, they need to look again. Sticking together isn't pointless at all!

One of the worst of all 1980's family oriented films. This one stars Andrew McCarthy as the eldest and leader of a group of orphans who gradually begin to work together as if they're an actual family. This kind of film has been made so many times before and after this one that it's not even remotely interesting anymore.

Afraid of being separated, a group of five children run away from their orphanage. There's Arthur, the oldest; James, the introvert; Edmund, the sort of wisecracking kid; Cassie, the shy tomboy; Benjamin, the kid who eats paper. Cassie has the idea of what would be their perfect home, paints a picture of it, and they all set out to find it. They steal a pizza delivery van, repaint it and drive to Missouri. They arrive there at night, but must pull over due to a flat tire. The next morning Cassie's the first to wake. She steps out of the van and lo and behold, they've stopped right in front of a house with an uncanny similarity to the one she drew. It happens to be for sale so they buy the place (Arthur has a nice income from writing a "Dear Lola" column for a newspaper) and fix it up. It's here where the Beniker "Family" decide to live, and must put up with the snobbery of the nearby villagers. There are lots more coincidences, but you'll see them if you watch. Don't get me wrong--I actually liked this movie. It's sweet and interesting and devoid of the annoying, whiney personalities given to so many young characters in the few children's movies made today. Teenagers probably won't be too thrilled with The Beniker Gang (though I liked it), but it's just right for 10-12 yr. olds.