Oct 26, 2004 09:29 AM
8109 Views
(Updated Jul 06, 2005 03:39 PM)
''Baby's Day Out'' is an absolutely improbable slapstick. It appeals differently to different people and some sensitive people might have trouble accepting the 'innocence' of baby Bink.
Also, this movie is nearly 10 years old and I was very surprised seeing it on the request list. But as they say - Your request is my command.
Factoid: There are a couple of babies doing the role of baby Bink.
Caution: Please leave your brain in a cozy corner at home. Also, please don't introduce babies to the violent possibilities of their innocent nature.
Movie : Baby's Day Out
Main Star-cast: Joe Mantegna, Joe Pantoliano, Adam Robert Worton, Jacob Joseph Worton, Lara Flynn Boyle, Matthew Glave, Fred Dalton Thompson.
Direction: Patrick Read Johnson
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The Story:
Baby Bink is born (for apparently no fault of his) with a platinum spoon in his mouth. He is treated like a quaint showpiece by his mom - Mrs. Cotwell (Lara Boyle) and adored by his maid. She reads to him (yes, some kids even have that luxury) the adventure of a Baby from a book. The events in the book apparently stick to the mind of a baby who can't even crawl (someone please hit me! hit me!).
Cut to the goons - Eddie, Norby and Veeko. They are a bungling trio in search of easy money. Predictably, and in the only job they do right, they kidnap the baby. Keeping baby Bink, it seems, is more difficult than kidnapping him.
'Hell hath no fury like a baby unleashed'. The thugs soon realize this yet uninitiated maxim at the cost of several 'organs'. The flick becomes entirely unbelievable at most junctures. It is difficult to judge the taker (for gross misrepresentation) between an over-smart tiny tot (you'll really start sympathizing with the goons) and a set of thugs (with bolts for brains).
After a sequence of pathetically unrealistic chases - a zoo (with mama gorilla and a primordial audience), a park (where you could almost smell the meat getting cooked ;) ) a revolving supermarket door (frankly are people really that daft? ) and a high-rise the culprits are finally caught and little Bink goes back to his warm bed (Probably to appear in the socialite's column the next day).
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Overall Adjudication:
Students (in school, that is): Great material for one of those sad essay afternoons in English Language class. Take the crux and add any amount of special effects. For all you know, you could actually send the baby on a moon-and-back trip.
For thinking Adults: Firstly you need to get your priorities sorted out. Leaving your brain behind is one option. Another option is avoiding the entire fiasco. If it's comedy that you require, I recommend that you try Laurel & Hardy or Charlie Chaplain (even plain old Tom and Jerry goes down well - its at least a cartoon). If you decide to go on with watching this flick in the presence of your brain, it might just take drastic measures and flush itself down the toilet (After watching this movie, this is definitely possible).
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A Personal Note:
I watched this movie a long time back and clearly remember wincing every five minutes during the movie. Every time any of the thugs were hit, it was usually with a force of about 500N. Although the movie was a serious let down, it became an inspiration for several Indian movies. If you really want to watch it...have a great day out!
