Buddy

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Sanad A @RT37151421 11/20/2023 Rene Russo's eyes and mouth, not Buddy the Gorilla's, become the main focus of "Buddy", a Jim Henson Pictures production through Francis Ford Coppola's Zoetrope. Surprisingly, numerous close-ups of Russo's face slipped through in post-production, and she literally fills the screen so many times that the poor apes are upstaged. This unintentionally funny true story is adapted from Gertrude "Trudy" Davies Lint's memoirs about a wealthy doctor's wife who turns their mansion into a menagerie for pets and wildlife. The movie goes beyond good intentions—it positively drips with earnest sincerity. However, it never sparkles with the kind of "family film" magic that it needed, and before too long both the people and the animals seem distinctly programmed (nothing here feels real). About ten minutes in, two chimpanzees are goofing around in Russo's kitchen and start throwing a butcher's knife back and forth (it misses Alan Cumming's head by inches); yet, no eyebrows are raised because it's all in a day's fun. Still, when full-grown gorilla Buddy gets crazy during a thunderstorm, the cops are called—and everyone stares at Buddy through the window while he busts up the living room furniture. The furniture should be the least of anyone's worries in this flabbergasting, do-gooder failure. But, at least we know Russo was in good hands: whenever director Caroline Thompson needs a good pick-up shot, she gives unstartled Rene another extreme close-up. I wonder what the lipstick budget was on this picture? *1/2 from **** See more steve d @RT35616104 07/06/2020 Cute enough but definitely nothing creative. See more 04/24/2014 A childish and forgettable movie. See more 10/23/2013 It was a pretty enjoyable, touching and very entertaining live action family film. It had very great cinematography, great cast, comedy, drama, adventure, music, very well done costumes and a very familiar plot. I first rented this movie at Blockbuster. It was a great start from Jim Henson Pictures. Both kids and adults will enjoy this movie. See more 11/21/2012 Cute but Predictable. See more 09/19/2012 not that good, but not that bad either. See more Read all reviews

Buddy

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