Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star
2003, Comedy, 1h 39m
121 Reviews 50,000+ RatingsWhat to know
A so-so David Spade comedy with a few laughs. Read critic reviews
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Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star Videos
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Movie Info
When he was a child, Dickie Roberts (David Spade) was one of the stars of a popular TV show. But now Dickie is grown up, and, instead of living a life of luxury, he works as a valet attendant and hangs out with other former child stars. Desperate to make a comeback, Dickie hires an ordinary family to live with so he can experience the childhood he never had. Soon Dickie is sharing a room with siblings Sally (Jenna Boyd) and Sam (Scott Terra) and discovering what family is all about.
Cast & Crew
David Spade
Dickie Roberts
Dickie Roberts
Mary McCormack
Grace Finney
Grace Finney
Jon Lovitz
Sidney Wernick
Sidney Wernick
Craig Bierko
George Finney
George Finney
Jenna Boyd
Sally Finney
Sally Finney
Scott Terra
Sam Finney
Sam Finney
Critic Reviews for Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star
Audience Reviews for Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star
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Jan 11, 2010I thought Dickie Roberts was enjoyable! david Spade brings some pretty good talent to the table here!KJ P Super Reviewer
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Oct 23, 2009Has David Spade been in any movies that were funny???Brody M Super Reviewer
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Aug 06, 2009its just the same man-nanny becomes friends with the kids movie but it has David Spade and hes funnyCoxxie M Super Reviewer
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May 14, 2008<i>"This is Nuckin' Futs!"</i> <p> <i>Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star</i> is a film that was severely panned by critics and audiences upon first release. It met with such an appalling reception that I purposely avoided it in fear of it being as horrible as some people have said. However when I finally watched the film all my previous expectations were surpassed. People called it 'poor' and 'laugh-less' but I guess it's a matter of taste: I laughed quite frequently and found it to be decent comedy. <br> Dickie Roberts (Spade) was a very popular child actor who had an enormous fan base. After his show was cancelled while still a young child, the 'child actor syndrome' kicks in: i.e. Dickie is no longer a desired actor among the studios. He slips off the grid and out of the industry due to his sudden drop in popularity. Even his mother leaves him while he is still at a young age. Now an adult, Dickie is poor and has been reduced to typical jobs such as being a valet attendant who parks cars. He misses the fame and popularity of being a famous actor. When in Hollywood he meets Brendan Fraser (played by himself, logically enough) who is able to get Dickie an audition for the new Rob Reiner film. But Dickie is rejected because he doesn't have the genuine feel of the part due to his childhood that he was robbed of. Reiner believes that Dickie just isn't a real person because of the way stardom affected him when he was a child. Dickie is still determined to get the part and stage a successful comeback. To do this he will need to develop a personality of his own. So he advertises a considerable amount of money if a family will allow him to move in and hopefully relive a proper childhood. Dickie moves in with the typical suburban family: selfless mother Grace (McCormack), selfish father George (Bierko) and their two kids Sam (Terra) and Sally (Boyd). <br> There is a good basic premise here. It's a well-known fact that child stars usually disappear from the spotlight or their life is lost to drugs and alcohol. Although the script is decent, it's ultimately flawed massively by its overuse of clichés and conventions. Not to mention a few sickening sub-plots like the predictable one concerning Dickie falling in love with his new mother Grace. There's quite a bit of sexual humour trapped within this solitary sub-plot. And then of course we have the obligatory few scenes concerning school bullies that Dickie swiftly takes care of. These are all predictable and it wouldn't be a tragedy if they were left out. Despite this they're still mildly amusing at times. <br> The central laughs are built on the clever dialogue deliveries from David Spade. I'm not going to tell a lie at all - I thought that some of his insulting rants were absolutely hilarious and I was laughing out loud quite constantly. But it's a shame there wasn't any effort on the part of the screenwriter (looking at you, David Spade) to create any other gags or any other characters that can deliver funny dialogue. <br> After the first third of this film, we all know what the outcome will be. The conclusion is cheesy and predictable beyond words. The good news is that there are a number of decent laughs to keep one entertained despite its predictability. <br> David Spade is funny when given the right material to work with. Using a script he wrote himself it seems he gave his character the majority of the funny dialogue. The rest of the acting is okay but nothing groundbreaking. The kids sometimes seemed a little cardboard, as did the rest of the cast at times. Acting lessons are badly required during some sections of the movie. <br> Aside from its flaws and shortcomings, <i>Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star</i> at least stocks a good supply of laughs. There's no brilliance or innovation in the laughs department; however the film is still hilarious viewing. One of the film's highlights: a reunion of genuine former child stars being grouped together for a musical finale during the end credits.Cal ( Super Reviewer
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