Bogus
Denis Mercier dubbed himself in the French version.,When Albert and Bogus are fencing in the park, one external shot shows him with a stick. The internal shot shows him with a sword. In Harriet's external view, he has a sword.,Harriet Franklin: This isn't going to work. I haven't had a conversation with a child since I was a child.,Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Bogus/The Big Squeeze/Bulletproof/The Trigger Effect/The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996),The Best of Friends
Written by Marc Shaiman
Lyrics by Alan Bergman & Marilyn Bergman
Performed by Dr. John
Produced by Dr. John and John Clayton,Doing for orphaned children what Ghost did for grieving lovers, Bogus is a sweet-natured fantasy that's sure to have some viewers reaching for a Kleenex. With The Sixth Sense still three years in his future, Haley Joel Osment plays 7-year-old Albert, whose happy life is disrupted when his mother (Nancy Travis) is killed in a traffic accident. Her will stipulates that Albert be placed in the custody of his mom's little-known half-sister, Harriet (Whoopi Goldberg), a New Jersey restaurant-supply owner who's anything but motherly. That's when Albert invents Bogus (Gerard Depardieu), an imaginary friend who springs to life from a coloring book drawing--clearly the product of Albert's need for love and companionship. It's easy to see why director Norman Jewison was drawn to the challenge of this delicate, charmingly cast fantasy/drama whimsically written by Alvin Sargent (Oscar®-winner for Ordinary People), and there are some lovely moments that capture a fleeting sense of wonder. But like the similar fantasy Three Wishes, the magic is lightweight and it doesn't always work. Your best bet is to just surrender to the sentiment, and don't be surprised if you shed a tear or two.,