Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Kevin Bacon | ... | Billy Magic | |
Brad Renfro | ... | Karchy 'Chucky' Jonas | |
Maximilian Schell | ... | Dr. Istvan Jonas | |
Calista Flockhart | ... | Diney Majeski | |
Tony Devon | ... | Danny Hogan | |
Paul Dooley | ... | Father Norton | |
Jonathan Rhys Meyers | ... | Kevin Boyle | |
Luke Wilson | ... | Henry | |
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Damen Fletcher | ... | Amos 'Blood Smith' |
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Jerry Swindall | ... | Andy 'Croak' Stas |
K.K. Dodds | ... | Justine | |
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James Kisicki | ... | Cecil Simms |
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J.J. Horna | ... | The Blind Kid |
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Ben Saypol | ... | Timmy Morelli |
Rohn Thomas | ... | Sgt. Disapri |
Karchy (Brad Renfro) is a boy in school who has moved from Hungary to America in the 1960s. He is struggling in school and trying to adjust to America's culture. He then hears about a radio DJ, Billy Magic (Kevin Bacon), who holds a contest for a Student Hall of Fame every week. When Karchy finally wins after several weeks, he spends more time with Billy Magic...a man with money, girls, and glam. Karchy thinks that, by spending time with Magic, he can become "cool". He then starts telling lies, to make himself seem greater than he really is. But when his lies begin hurting the people he cares about, he realizes that it isn't worth telling lies if it affects your friends. Afterwards, he learns to accept himself for the person he is, and gives up lying. And as for Billy Magic, it turns out that he pays his price for all the lies that he has told as well.... Written by <Aya704@hotmail.com>
Kevin Bacon is the best thing about this film. He can play any
type of role, barely human (Murder in the First), a small-time
crook (The River Wild) or a twisted DJ (Telling Lies in
America). Here he is believable and puts in a good performance.
Brad Renfro also does well in his role, but isn't very
convincing. Two problems.
1.) He comes from Hungary, but has no accent, and sounds like he
came from New York
2.) Age. A year before this was filmed, he co-starred in The
Cure. There he played an 11 year old, and looked too old. Here
he plays a 17 year old, and looks too young for the role.
The other highlight is Maximillian Schell (I doubt I spelled
his name right). He is fourth billed as Renfro's Hungarian
father and is dead-on. Why Joe Esterhaus (Spelling error?) is
America's top paid screenwriter will never be known. He writes
lame scripts that deserve to be thrown away, but are instead
made into big-budget movies like this one.
+ (GOOD THINGS) 1.) Kevin Bacon's performance 2.) Maximillian
Schell's performance 3.) Plot line