North is a charming movie about an eleven-year-old boy's feelings of inadequacy, even though he is successful in school, sports, and general hygiene. You see, North's parents do not appreciate him. So, he goes to his secret spot to do some thinking, and he falls asleep.
What follows is North's dream about what life would be like if he were granted emancipation for two months in order to travel the world and find parents who appreciate him for who he is. He travels to Texas, Alaska, Hawaii, Amish country, Africa, China, France, and Illinois. Part of the humor in this movie is the ridiculous views North has regarding the cultures in these various locations. His conceptions of these places are over the top, stereotypical, and, yes, maybe offensive to some. But, young North's dream world does not upset me because I am positive that all children aged 11 have some crazy ideas regarding different cultures.
Of course, while North is gone his "friend," the power-hungry journalist Winchel, uses North's emancipation to create an empire in which children rule. Winchel threatens that the situation will get ugly if North decides to return to New York and his natural parents.
The movie has many stars in it, and it's clear that they had fun making this movie. My favorite, though, is Bruce Willis, who acts as North's guide along the way.
I don't know if adults who have never seen this movie will appreciate it due to its narrow, childlike view of the world, but I loved it as a child and still enjoy the movie today.
What follows is North's dream about what life would be like if he were granted emancipation for two months in order to travel the world and find parents who appreciate him for who he is. He travels to Texas, Alaska, Hawaii, Amish country, Africa, China, France, and Illinois. Part of the humor in this movie is the ridiculous views North has regarding the cultures in these various locations. His conceptions of these places are over the top, stereotypical, and, yes, maybe offensive to some. But, young North's dream world does not upset me because I am positive that all children aged 11 have some crazy ideas regarding different cultures.
Of course, while North is gone his "friend," the power-hungry journalist Winchel, uses North's emancipation to create an empire in which children rule. Winchel threatens that the situation will get ugly if North decides to return to New York and his natural parents.
The movie has many stars in it, and it's clear that they had fun making this movie. My favorite, though, is Bruce Willis, who acts as North's guide along the way.
I don't know if adults who have never seen this movie will appreciate it due to its narrow, childlike view of the world, but I loved it as a child and still enjoy the movie today.
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