The Indian in the Cupboard (1995): Dir: Frank Oz / Cast: Hal Scardino, Litefoot, David Keith, Rishi Bhat, Steve Coogan: Imaginative film full of glorious visual wonders about ancestry. The cupboard represents time lapse and the uniting of two worlds or cultures. Omri is given a small plastic Indian figurine with a cupboard. He locks the Indian in the cupboard and discovers the figure come to life. His name is Little Bear and the story never indicates how the cupboard sustains such power. It is disturbing to see these lives in the care of a kid. Directed by Frank Oz who normally makes comedies such as Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, but here he aims at family and fantasy viewers. Hal Scardino plays this kid given a key that holds no explanation, and he is given a responsibility that seems much for a kid his age. Litefoot plays the wise Little Bear but we are given little if any background, but the plot gears towards his dealing with his size verses the world he now inhabits. David Keith is hilarious as cowboy Boone, and easily the film's best performance. Boone enters as a pushover but becomes peaceful after an incident. Rishi Bhat is suitable as Scardino's best friend and soon he attempts to expose the figures. Steve Coogan plays a medical figurine who treats Little Bear when he is wounded. Theme of ancestry make the cupboard worth opening but caution issued for young viewers. Score: 9 / 10
Review of The Indian in the Cupboard
