The Boy Who Could Fly

1986

The Boy Who Could Fly (1986)

TOMATOMETER

67%

——

Critic Consensus: No consensus yet.

AUDIENCE SCORE

69%

Want to See

Not Interested

Add Rating
My Rating    

The Boy Who Could Fly Photos

View All Photos

Movie Info

Jay Underwood plays an autistic boy who provides a source of fascination to a new family in town. Never uttering a sound, Underwood spends hours in his backyard, attempting to fly like the birds. Lucy Deakins, the daughter of the new family, befriends Underwood; she is encouraged by teacher Colleen Dewhurst to try to draw the boy out of his shell, and to keep a journal on the subject. Rendered unconscious in a fall, Deakins dreams that Underwood can fly. The boy is suddenly whisked away to an institution, and Deakins despairs that she'll never see him again.

Watch it now

Cast

Jay Underwood
as Eric Gibb
Lucy Deakins
as Milly Michaelson
Bonnie Bedelia
as Charlene Michaelson
Fred Savage
as Louis Michaelson
Fred Gwynne
as Uncle Hugo
Jason Priestley
as Gary
Jake
as Max
Mindy Cohn
as Geneva
Barbara Miller
Colleen Dewhurst
as Mrs. Sherman
Jennifer Michas
as Mona
Louise Fletcher
as Psychiatrist
Tommy Lee Wallace
as The Coupes de Villes
Janet MacLachlan
as Mrs. D'Gregario
Michelle Bardeaux
as Erin
Aura Pithart
as Colette
Cam Bancroft
as Joe
Chris Arnold
as Sonny
Meredith Bain-Woodward
as Female Administrator
Sean Kelso
as Bad Boy
Meredith B. Woodward
as Administrator
Raimund Stamm
as Attendant
Dan Zale
as Attendant
Dwight Koss
as Dad
Jim McLarty
as Tour Guide
Betty Phillips
as Institute Receptionist
Terry David Mulligan
as Mr. Brandt
Tannis Rae
as Ms. O'Neil
Tom Heaton
as Dr. Nelson
Angela Gann
as Mrs. Betuel
John F. Carpenter
as The Coupe De Villes
Scott Irvine
as Officer
Warren Carr
as Guest Coupe
Karen Siegel
as Dr. Karen Siegel
Cameron Bancroft
as Joe
Thomas Heaton
as Dr. Nelson
View All

Critic Reviews for The Boy Who Could Fly

All Critics (18) | Top Critics (1)

Filmmaker Castle has infused The Boy Who Could Fly with an exceedingly (and often excessively) deliberate pace that prevents the viewer from connecting to the material throughout...

Aug 3, 2018 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…
Reel Film Reviews

A charming fantasy with a lot of heart.

Dec 28, 2010 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
Common Sense Media

One of the best family films of the 80s. Lucy Deakins and Jay Underwood are delightful. A film you'll cherish forever.

Apr 19, 2008 | Rating: 4/5
Moviehole

One of the hallmark films of the 1980s, full of whimsical charm.

Aug 9, 2002 | Rating: 4/5
Arizona Daily Star

It's sweet, it's touching, it's occasionally pretty corny -- but I've got a soft spot for this one all the same.

Jul 26, 2002 | Rating: 4/5
eFilmCritic.com

A feel good movie about a teenager who cares deeply about another person and, in the process, experiences the renewal of her mind and spirit.

Jan 15, 2002 | Full Review…
Spirituality and Practice
View All Critic Reviews (18)

Audience Reviews for The Boy Who Could Fly

I really liked this movie when I was a kid, I thought it was cool, and it has Fred Savage from the Wonder Years. Now, it seems kind of silly and predictable, but it's okay.

Aj V
Aj V

Super Reviewer

½

Aww...I remember watching this in either 4th or 5th grade.

Nani Vang
Nani Vang

Super Reviewer

I like it. It's simple but it has a good story and some funny parts to help it along. And who doesn't want to fly?

Jason Spencer
Jason Spencer

Super Reviewer

I remember this movie from childhood. All I can think of is he's like retarded and flies out the window or something. I should probably see it again before you take this review seriously.

Curtis Lilly
Curtis Lilly

Super Reviewer

View All

The Boy Who Could Fly Quotes

There are no approved quotes yet for this movie.

News & Features