Today’s movie review is for Disney’s “The Kid” (2000), rated (PG).

During the 1980’s, a TV show (entitled “Moonlighting”) featured actress Cybill Shepherd and actor Bruce Willis in the USA.

This show introduced boys like me, to one prevailing stereotype of manhood at the time. The type of man he was, worked in the formal corporate environment with a macho yet intriguing presence.

Considered perhaps sexist by today’s standards, a confident and big mouthed male such as he was, had met and worked with the bold and confident woman “Cybill”. Cybill clearly found him irksome, certainly not timid, and yes perhaps even sexy. The sparks flew between the two in all the episodes that I can remember.

For the parents who watched that show here in the US, it was in some cases a reflection of their own realities experienced between the genders. Consistent with that same character type, Bruce Willis is cast in this Disney movie “The Kid”. It’s a perfectly cast role; and he “owns” it.

Named “Russ”, Bruce Willis’ character is a single man deep in corporate life; and, he is working as an image consultant in Los Angeles, circa 2000.

His assistant, named “Janet”, is played by most esteemed performer and actress Lily Tomlin. Melissa McCarthy, now on US TV in 2018 as well, also has a role in this film – a very important waitress at the “Skyway Diner”. The diner plays an integral location for some of the moments of life and temporal “negotiation” that will happen between Russ’s former self and Russ’s present self.

The central theme of this movie (which is so much fun), is about psychological conflict that most (or all of us) experience within ourselves at times, between childhood and adulthood. How much of the child do we actively seek to suppress; and how much of him or her comes out anyway?

Russ (as an 8 year old chubby boy) intrudes on Russ now a 40 year old man. This time-traveling boy is “lost”; and, has to rein in the unruly Russ of 40 in order to avoid devastating future losses. The boy wants to go to his true home. And, the man wants nothing of it. At least, that is only initially.

With a wonderful love interest named Amy, Russ has to find out exactly how he can keep her. But, before he can do that… Russ the 8 year old boy has to change Russ the man he becomes and became. And, Russ the man has to teach Russ the boy a few things too!

Dierdre, played by actress Jean Smart – a client of Russ’s, advises him as the adult to “never stop asking for help. And, to give the child, precious hope and confidences.” That sets the tone.

What starts off as a bumpy ride, results in time travel 32 years prior, to the year 1968. As Russ the man begins to remember crucial life changing moments in his past, he must help Russ the boy to change those events in order to save his future self and more.

With theories of time travel so pertinent to Quantum Physics today, this film does a wonderful job of both theorizing time travel between dimensions and having fun with the plot and characters as well.

Endearing moments and lessons: ie. standing up to act and say things that matter to humanity, revisiting painful pasts when a dad hurts his only boy harshly, the film defines and asserts exactly what makes a “winner” and what makes a “loser” in this short lifetime of ours.

With painful memories that get blocked out, and tests of how to be kind and patient with oneself, being “a chickless, dogless, 40 year old with a twitch” suddenly seems overwhelmingly less desirable a way to live.

This film suggests that one’s past and present always determines future. And, Russ’s future becomes a surprising reality – for all the characters in this story.

This movie is family friendly, and is a lot of fun. It reminds us all to be mindful and aware that what we do today matters to others, to self, and for our tomorrow. It reminds us hopefully to think of ourselves as responsible for the dreams that can potentially come true for everyone in ripple effect.

Watch to find out how and in what way, the future arrives. Is it as pretty as the moon? Watch to find out.