It’s an especially fun movie from a director and cast who are clearly having a good time allowing themselves to let loose.

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

There's a more than satisfactory amount of boom-boom in the movie's trim running time.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

Bruce Willis, Spencer Breslin, Emily Mortimer and Lily Tomlin star in this 2000 comedy. This takes place in L.A. and Willis (Die Hard) plays Russ Duritz, a cynical, image-consultant who's about to celebrate his birthday. Soon, he's visited by 8-year-old kid, Rusty (Breslin) whom he learns is his childhood self and they help each other face their challenges/obstacles of the past and future. Mortimer (Scream 3) plays Amy, a friend & co-worker of Russ and Tomlin (9 to 5) plays his secretary, Janet. I've always liked this film, it's got humorous and a couple of heartfelt moments and Willis & Breslin are great in it. I recommend this.

It's a perfect movie in every way. I guess everyone carries a little (maybe a lot) of shame from their childhood into their adult life. This is a wonderful story about healing the shame. There is a meditation exercise in the book Healing the Shame that Binds You by Bradshaw, where the adult you can go back in time, so to speak, to talk to the child version of yourself to give "the kid" a new perspective about a shaming event, that heals the kid and the adult. It is a very loving thing to do for yourself, and this movie does just that, in a magical way. Love the movie! And having used the mediation exercise in Bradshaw's book in 1992 to go back in time to stand up for the child version of myself, on the first day of school in 1960, I know it works. Great to see a movie that brings the experience to life in a way with a super happy ending.

The Kid (2000): Dir: Jon Turteltaub / Cast: Bruce Willis, Spencer Breslin, Emily Mortimer, Lily Tomlin, Chi McBride: Here is a family comedy that is suppose to reach the kid in all of us but it fumbles its premise in its feeble sense of logic. Bruce Willis plays an image consultant who encounters an eight year old boy who is actually himself. This doesn't make any sense nor is an explanation given but he is shown how he has changed for the worst since childhood. The conclusion is handled rather half heatedly but director Jon Turteltaub gives the film its impact. He previously directed the charming romantic comedy While You Were Sleeping as well as the intriguing Phenomenon. Willis plays off the humour with a boyish quality becoming the strongest element of the film. His dealings with clients are somewhat cruel but he will learn where it all went wrong in its shady conclusion. Emily Mortimer as a co-worker is basically a romantic prop there to inform Willis that he is being a jerk but eventually fall for him. Lily Tomlin is a fine comic given a rather limited role as his secretary. Spencer Breslin plays the younger Willis in what can only be described as complete nonsense. Nobody will accuse this film of making any sense but at least it makes up for it in heavy measures of charm and wishful thinking. Complex lessons involve facing fears of past mistakes. Score: 7 / 10

I wanted to contact the director, Mr. Turtletaub, et. AL, to mention that I loved the movie; just found it (DVD) at the local Bloackbuster (a lonely brick and mortar close by luckily for me). Loved the 'commentary' with a then much younger Spencer Breslin... just the art of conversation on both parts... classic. thanks (another Bruce Willis picture, not to mention Lily Tomlin, Jean Smart).... I'm such a DVD fan( but also still go to 'big screen'!)- And just coincidental that I just got a 'Nutribullet' which was featured early in the movie where 40yr old Rusty is making his 'Nutriblast' shake! (they're updated the model since I guess). thank you Disney and Mr. T.; I'm going back to find Phenomena, now!