Lloyd

"Lloyd" is a movie for kids, but the film tells the common story of an outsider kid with so much irony and wit that even adults may have fun here.

The performance of Todd Bosley (he can make a grimace as good as Jim Carrey) as Lloyd is above average for a child actor. He creates attention for his character, makes him believable and likable. There are only few scenes where he overacts, but that will be forgiven ! Most of the time he plays as if he parodies himself !

Irony is created by the use of characters like the old Lady Lloyd works for (the one with the horrible garden), the teacher Mr. Weid (Taylor Negron) who tells his pupils about his depressions, Tony Longo as dance-teacher and even Tom Arnold in a small, but nice performance as magician.

Good and inventive camera work in many scenes (close-ups of Lloyd's face, the scene with the lawn-mower) ! Good child actors in supporting parts as well (Brendon Ryan Barrett as Troy, Sammy Elliott as Lloyd's brother Nathan) as good casting with Mary Mara as Lloyd's mother.

Unfortunately at the end there are too many childish scenes, e.g. the spaghetti fight and the story about the friendship between Troy and Lloyd isn't finished the nice way it began, it just doesn't seem to be important to the director any longer.

6 out of 10

I first saw this film when it was on HBO, and since then, I have bought it on DVD so i can watch it whenever i want. Anyway, it is a movie about this oddball in a class of midde-aged kids, who wants to go out with this girl called Tracy. Anyway, the story focuses on Lloyd, and how he keeps doing these inept attemps at winning Tracy's heart. It's a sweet story with a valuable lesson that is "Be thankfull for who you are". Definately worth a look. 7.5/10

Show cases the everyday challenges youth are subjected to during their informative years during school.

A smooth ride throughout the movie from scene to scene. Easy to watch, can hold your attention.

While some parts are indeed a tad bit "cheesey" there's a character in this movie that relates to everyone, weather its the 'ugly duckling', the bully, Ms. Popularity, or Rich Kid, we have all been through these experiences.

Touches on the feelings a child has with difficulties in learning, and needing extra help. There could have been a little more portrayed on the stigma of the "special classes" and how a child is treated once it is known they are attending them.

The brother's character could have been brought out a little stronger in some areas.

There is a positive vibe with the single mother towards her son, countering his feelings of worthlessness.

I liked the movie, and laughed freely throughout.....

I have already suggested this movie to friends and family for their younger school age kids to watch.

It's one thing to have a realistic ugly kid who has a good heart, but the kid starring in this film is a loser with no redeeming qualities. He's not a sympathetic character at all. In fact, he's quite annoying and I watched the film in its entirety hoping bad things would happen to him. It would be one thing if they film didn't want you to root for him and was meant only to be a realistic portrayal of the misery of junior high. But unfortunately the misguided director thinks that this character is someone we want to see win. A much funnier and unflinchingly realistic film of the same subject matter can be found in "Welcome to the Dollhouse."

Todd does a good job as Lloyd, the star of the show. A not so good looking kid with a desperation to be looked upon as not ugly. The only exception to his good acting is one scene 45 minutes in, where some emotion was required. Depending on your expectation of a child actor you can let that slide. A quick word on the comic performance of Taylor Negron, Excellent.

Slight confusion creeps in when a child desperate for female attention becomes most upset about the situation directly after one girl's obvious attention. As for the excuse he was after one girl in particular, that's just being picky.

It's nice to see a film with some good comedy touches, that are subtly distributed throughout the film. There is nothing worse than the 'This Is A Joke' neon sign that many films use to try and get you to laugh. Not trying to be all meaningful or take itself particularly seriously, this film actually elevates itself above the general cheap riff raff that it would be pigeon-holed with.