When Zachary Beaver Came to Town

Twelve-year-old Texas friends Jonathan Lipnicki (as Toby Wilson) and Cody Linley (as Cal McKnight) react like you might expect when "World's Fattest Boy," 443-pound Sasha Neulinger (as Zachary Beaver), comes to visit their Texas town. There are guffaws, groans, and grins - but, the three lads become pals. Mr. Lipnicki's mother leaves town to become a country music star, Mr. Linley's older brother joins the army, Mr. Neulinger's guardian disappears, and the three lads learn how friendship can help heal loss...

Based on an award-winning children's novel by Kimberly Willis Holt, "When Zachary Beaver Came to Town" gets lost in the translation to motion picture. You can tell, however, there was a good story somewhere. The best storyline involves Linley's war-bound brother. The worst is may be Neulinger's baptism with a fat suit. There are intriguing but unrealized possibilities in wayward characters, like Lipnicki's mother (Jane Krakowski) and Neulinger's guardian (Kevin Corrigan). The book had to be better.

**** When Zachary Beaver Came to Town (10/9/03) John Schultz ~ Jonathan Lipnicki, Cody Linley, Sasha Neulinger, Eric Stoltz

I went to the October 10th premiere of the movie in Austin with my two sons. We had been waiting for what seemed an eternity for it to finally be released. It still isn't, but at least we got to see it.

The movie is very good. There are several changes from the book, most obvious being the modern setting instead of the 1970s. That change didn't hurt the story in any way. Another noticeable change in my opinion was the shifting of emphasis on the subplots. Don't get me wrong, they were all there. Some were simply less important or more important in the movie than they were in the book. Once again, that didn't seem to hurt the story.

The movie was well cast. The important characters were very nicely realized. The children in the movie are a very talented group. I especially enjoyed the portrayal of Cal.

I would like to see the movie again in a regular movie theater. There were moments when the picture got a little blurry, but I honestly believe that it was the projector at the Paramount. You could see that someone was trying to keep it focused. Just the same, the actual camera work on the movie was awesome. Everything has a vitality of realism that made me feel like I was standing there watching the story unfold.

My favorite scene of the movie was when Toby's anger over Cal's brother's death, Zachary Beaver's heartbreak at feeling he has been blown off by his new friends, and the funeral were all woven together. I sat in my seat sobbing with the characters. It was so very well filmed. I never cry at movies. This one got me.

I hope this film gets a distributor. I want to see it again.

I never saw WHEN ZACHARY BEAVER CAME TO TOWN when I was a child because it never arrived in Italy and wasn't even aired on TV. However, as I decided to watch as many of Eric Stoltz's movies I could find, I had to watch this one even tho he plays the supporting role of the lead's father. And despite it's a family movie, I am glad that I saw this because I nearly loved it.

Toby (Jonathan Lipnicki) is a 13 year old boy that lives in Texas with his parents but one day his mom (Jane Krakowski) goes to Nashville for trying to become a singer and then is nowhere to be seen. The day after Toby and his friend Cal McKnight meet sideshow attraction Zachary Beaver known as the fattest boy in the world, that spends his time in his silver trailer with his legal guardian. Toby and Cal manage to sneak in the trailer and gradually become friends with Zachary. After various misunderstandings with Cal, Toby will manage to make Zachary escape from his trailer and get him baptized in Gossimer Lake because baptized individuals have a chance of going to heaven after their deaths, and after this Toby and Cal's friendship will be rekindled.

The acting was great by all. Lipnicki (when his days as Stuart Little's brother were over) gives a convincing performance as a young lead and Stoltz was great as usual in his few moments. However, what I loved about this movie was the message that gives about accepting the different because Toby is the first one to see that Zachary Beaver is a nice guy despite being huge. And the ending after the baptism, it came out of nowhere: Toby's dad Otto freed lots of bees and they all flew together in the sky with the background music of the 1812 overture by Tchaikovsky and everyone looks at them surprised... I mean, you just have to see it!

Overall, a forgotten family movie that should be rediscovered because of all the aforementioned reasons and let me say it, it's worth your time.

I enjoyed getting the opportunity to view this particular film at the Paramount during the film festival. As I watched it, some aspects of the film reminded me of the movie "Stand By Me". Perhaps, I felt a connection between the portrayal of the strong relationships and endearing and poignant journeys of the three young boys in "When Zachary Beaver Came to Town" and the group of boys in "Stand By Me". Although, it was obviously adapted some from the book, (which so many films are); I felt like it was successful in capturing what to me was the most important message, Acceptance. Furthermore, the film portrayed a wide range of examples of acceptance... (acceptance of self, differences, life and death,) which not only included the primary characters, but also involved the whole town in the film. I appreciate when a film actually contains meaningful and relative lessons in life, yet remains equally entertaining at the same time. The film, "When Zachary Beaver Came to Town", is definitely one that can evoke a wide range of emotions on the viewer's part. Hopefully, it will make it to the "Big Screen" in some form or fashion, so others can get a chance to enjoy it.

I thought this movie was very entertaining, in the spirit of "Stand By Me" but more life-affirming.

The movie was well cast. In particular I thought the characters of Cal and Scarlett were well portrayed.

I also enjoyed the "small town" feel. (It was filmed in Granger, Texas.)

If you read the book, the movie is a little different, (It's a modern setting, and the cafe is not in a bowling alley.) but the spirit of the book is intact.