The teenage comedy “Difficult Child” won the sympathy of viewers around the world, barely released on the screens in 1990. Many fans are now ready to review it, because it is obvious that such paintings will never become obsolete. Our article is dedicated to the success of the best children's comedy and leading performers.
“Difficult child” or “Home Alone”?
For director Dennis Dugan, who became famous for his friendship with Adam Sandler and the production of paintings with his participation, “Difficult Child” was the debut film. The script for it was written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karatsevsky, who later collaborated a lot. The film, designed exclusively for children, was shot simultaneously with another hit of the same year - “Home Alone” was released ahead of the Christmas holidays, while “Difficult Child” appeared at the box office in the summer, during the long-awaited vacation. In general, both films are often compared. The main character, perhaps, remains the main character - both there and here they became a notorious prankster. The rest of the picture is completely different. Except that the creators of “Difficult Child” initially planned to give the main role to Macaulay Kalkin, but later decided that in order not to confuse the viewer, the actors should be different.
Success was obvious
“Difficult child” takes its place in the lists of the best children's films for family viewing. It is understandable: a funny, light comedy is perceived properly. Although fate deprived the boy so much that even the nuns abandoned him, you feel sympathy for Junior. All of his leprosy becomes almost ordinary, although some of them may seem tough. The main thing that makes the picture - the obligatory presence of the family, which will give attention and love.
Acting merit
The film is famous for many features that made up the popularity of the picture. A special place is occupied by actors. “Difficult child” gathered both unknown artists and eminent stars who had already won success. Not only the main, but also a number of minor characters please with their variety of characters. This is the caring father of Ben Healy, who seems to be the only one who cares about Junior; his quarrelsome little wife Flo, whose adoptive offspring “to the bulb”; cheerful egoist grandfather, Ben Sr., pursuing his goals, but in general a fairly positive character. And also the neighbor Roy, dressed up as a bear, and the ever-dissatisfied Mr. Peabody, who dreams of never having to face the main prankster Junior again. All of them occupied their niche in the picture.
Like the general mood of the film, the atmosphere on the set was appropriate, which the actors can confirm. “Difficult child” is filled with humor; good, sometimes with a “black” tinge, jokes are present in every second episode, causing a spectator smile. Obviously, many of Junior's peers, sitting in front of the screen, watched with interest his every new trick, marveling at the quick-wittedness of a 7-year-old boy.
Actors could talk about the success of the picture. “Difficult child” appealed to young viewers, but critics were unhappy. They considered Junior's jokes as malicious mischief, not representing a worthy example to the younger generation. The comedy does not focus on the fact of frequent hand-in-hand child transfers - on the contrary, it is Junior who tests the newly-born parents for strength, and, unfortunately, not everyone passes the test.
“Difficult child”: actors as the main faces of the picture
To find the lead actor, the creators announced a casting. It is not easy to choose from hundreds of bright talented applicants, especially if these are children.
Michael Oliver's career began when he was two years old. This angelic boy became the face of the catalog of one trading network. Further, the career was associated exclusively with short appearances in television commercials, until the agent tracked him down and offered the “Difficult Child”. In 1994, the actor was nominated for a youth award for participating in the continuation of the film. Oliver’s career ended after the only role of Junior, which brought him worldwide popularity. In 1995, he played in the crime action movie Dillinger and Capone, but the role was not significant. After 10 years of the show, The Greatest awarded Michael 68th place in the list of “100 child actors”.
The producers took on the role of father Junior John Ritter, who grew up in the family of an actress and a country music singer. At the time of the filming of “Difficult Child”, he was a fairly popular comedian who played in dozens of successful films: “Real Men”, “Prison for Children”, “Last Entertainment”.
For the role of Ben Sr., they invited Jack Worden, a Hollywood veteran, an Oscar nominee for best supporting actor in the films “Heaven Can Wait” and “Shampoo”. He played the selfish but good-natured grandfather of Ben in two sequels of the film.
The career of Amy Yasbeck, who played Ben Flo's wife, began with episodic roles in many TV shows. The greatest popularity was brought to her by the paintings “Splash 2” and “Caller at Midnight”, as well as a small participation in the famous “Beauty”. After “Difficult Child”, she continued her career, appearing in films such as “The Mask” and “Home for the Holidays”.
Amy Yasbeck became the wife of John Ritter 9 years after the release of “Difficult Child”. They have a common daughter, Stella Dorothy Yasbeck.
“Difficult child 2”: old actors, new jokes
To be continued a year later. Junior and Ben Healy move to a small town, where they immediately become the object of attention of local young ladies. It turns out that the population here is predominantly female, because every newly-minted neighbor wants to taunt a handsome dad. This is Ben's hand, because he was going to look for Junior's mom. That's just the offspring believes that the two of them are not bad, and therefore does everything to stop his father ...
The characters from the first part are back again. The company of Ben Sr. went bankrupt, and he came to his son and grandson, which is not always pleasing to Junior. The director of the shelter, Mr. Peabody, now acts as the director of the school where the prankster falls. There he meets a local hooligan Trixie. Amy Yasbecks is played by her mother, school nurse Annie Young. Wealthy lady Luanda Dumor after eight marriages decides that the charming Ben will become her new husband. She in every possible way seduces him and tries to establish contact with Junior. But he will not allow his father to marry this woman, where it is better to choose a modest nurse ...
Ivianne Schwan became famous for the role of the unbridled Trixie thanks to the 1989 cult comedy Parents. After the “Difficult Child”, her acting career did not work out, but the girl starred in commercials and recorded music CDs using a stage name.
Unsuccessful sequel
In 1995, the third part of “Difficult Child” was released. New actors starred in the triquel, in particular, Justin Chapman played the grown up Junior. The only characters remaining in the sequel were Grandfather Ben and Mr. Peabody. The picture did not enjoy such recognition as its predecessors, and in general was a failure.
After 22 years, the main actors, “Difficult Child” for whom became a milestone in life, met to create a photo shoot. During the interview, they shared their impressions about the shooting, about the success of the film and how he instantly turned them into superstars. The only thing that upsets the audience is the lack of a further career among the leading actors. But Michael Oliver and Ivianne Schwan are not upset. They have something to do in life, and most importantly - they have preserved wonderful memories of the best childhood film.