IMDb RATING
4.6/10
15K
YOUR RATING
Sick of being neglected by his parents, a young boy leaves home and travels the world in search of new parents.Sick of being neglected by his parents, a young boy leaves home and travels the world in search of new parents.Sick of being neglected by his parents, a young boy leaves home and travels the world in search of new parents.
- Awards
- 4 wins & 9 nominations total
Featured reviews
It is an ok family movie not bad but that good, beautiful story abot family love, the film has many overreaction silly parts to make it works but still in general its good because its talks about loving your family
Wow this movie was bad. I heard Siskel and Ebert slandering it when I was younger...and I was thinking that it couldn't possibly be that bad. Well,...I was wrong. Elijah Wood plays a boy who doesn't like his parents because they don't let him do everything that he wants to. She he decides to take them to court. And the suprising thing is that he actually wins. Kids don't get out of their homes when their parents are molesting them, beating them, and neglecting them, and North gets out because his parents don't let him run wild like he doesn't have any? The movie is just lame. Maybe it's amusing to 10 year olds who think that parents should let them do whatever they want, but the world just isn't like that. So get over it. The only good thing about this movie...of which many other commentaries have mentioned, was Bruce Willis in the pink bunny suit. I bet he will never live that down. He's probably looking back on this movie and crying. It was nice to see him in a 'family' movie. 2 out of 10. The 2 points are for the bunny costume.
Those who argue that North is sexually pornographic or unrealistic or lame don't seem to get the point and present arguments that just sound unfounded and absurd. I really think some people use these film comments as an excuse to vent their frustrations at their spouse or their boss through their ridiculous tirades. I'll try to present an intelligent and useful opinion of this fantastic movie.
Cherubic at 11-ish, Elijah Wood delivers an astounding performance for an actor of his age as North, a model child who doesn't like his parents, not because they "don't let him do everything he wants to," as one reviewer wrote, but because they're negligent and self-absorbed (I believe there is a difference). He wins at court, not because this is a political drama, but because this is a FANTASY. It's a perfect example of Expressionist film: An Everyman character with a journey, a quest to prove something, including a character that represents guidance and purity of thought and mind, with a resolution and a moral. See this film for what it is people. It is a FABLE, the fact that the revolution is led by kids is just a symbol. It could be dogs or infants for that matter. It's not even a fable about negligent parents or abused children, it's about finding out who you are and where you belong. Honestly, it even has spiritual overtones to it.
Bruce Willis I find does his best work opposite kids (check out the Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Mercury Rising, the list goes on). The supporting cast as the alternate as well as the original families are top-notch. I particularly enjoyed Jason Alexander, Jon Lovitz, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Reba McEntire's performances.
What confuses me is how Siskel and Ebert could rate this the worst film of 1994, with its brilliant script, stellar cast and incredible look and feel. I usually agreed with their reviews (that is, until Roeper came along). So see this movie, try not to be overly-intellectual, like I know many people love to be, and try to actually learn something rather than be constantly entertained, although North does both. I strongly recommend this for parents and children alike. The BRIEF language is somewhat offensive, so parents can use discretion if they must.
11/10.
Cherubic at 11-ish, Elijah Wood delivers an astounding performance for an actor of his age as North, a model child who doesn't like his parents, not because they "don't let him do everything he wants to," as one reviewer wrote, but because they're negligent and self-absorbed (I believe there is a difference). He wins at court, not because this is a political drama, but because this is a FANTASY. It's a perfect example of Expressionist film: An Everyman character with a journey, a quest to prove something, including a character that represents guidance and purity of thought and mind, with a resolution and a moral. See this film for what it is people. It is a FABLE, the fact that the revolution is led by kids is just a symbol. It could be dogs or infants for that matter. It's not even a fable about negligent parents or abused children, it's about finding out who you are and where you belong. Honestly, it even has spiritual overtones to it.
Bruce Willis I find does his best work opposite kids (check out the Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Mercury Rising, the list goes on). The supporting cast as the alternate as well as the original families are top-notch. I particularly enjoyed Jason Alexander, Jon Lovitz, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Reba McEntire's performances.
What confuses me is how Siskel and Ebert could rate this the worst film of 1994, with its brilliant script, stellar cast and incredible look and feel. I usually agreed with their reviews (that is, until Roeper came along). So see this movie, try not to be overly-intellectual, like I know many people love to be, and try to actually learn something rather than be constantly entertained, although North does both. I strongly recommend this for parents and children alike. The BRIEF language is somewhat offensive, so parents can use discretion if they must.
11/10.
I really enjoyed this. A subversive fantasy, kind of set in the real world of curious and questionable adults.
I think I was the same age as Elijah Wood when he starred in this movie, and I think I recall seeing the world something like this, albeit minus the American satire. What we don't know and imagine about adults when we're kids is both wonderful and terrible. North captures this quality well. I also was questioning of my parents and this movie struck a chord.
This is also the only film you'll likely see Bruce Willis in a pink bunny rabbit costume. If you like wonder and anarchy you may like North.
I think I was the same age as Elijah Wood when he starred in this movie, and I think I recall seeing the world something like this, albeit minus the American satire. What we don't know and imagine about adults when we're kids is both wonderful and terrible. North captures this quality well. I also was questioning of my parents and this movie struck a chord.
This is also the only film you'll likely see Bruce Willis in a pink bunny rabbit costume. If you like wonder and anarchy you may like North.
Why does everyone slam this movie?????I liked it!! What were the critics expecting? Oscar worthy stuff?? I mean, obviously it's not. But that doesn't mean it's not enjoyable. That's one reason why I hate critics. They're mean. I only watched this movie because of Elijah Wood (I love him!!), and I wasn't expecting it to be that good, but I was surprised!! In a good way. So if you want to see this movie, don't listen to the critics!!! Use your own judgement, people. That's all.
Luv, Farfalla Dolce
By the way, about the swearing and stuff in the movie, is it reall that bad? I mean, as if kids who watch the movie don't use them already. Seriously people, just think about it!! It was a cute movie, let's leave it at that.
Luv, Farfalla Dolce
By the way, about the swearing and stuff in the movie, is it reall that bad? I mean, as if kids who watch the movie don't use them already. Seriously people, just think about it!! It was a cute movie, let's leave it at that.
Did you know
- TriviaFollowing Roger Ebert's 2013 death, Alan Zweibel wrote a piece for the New Yorker entitled "Roger and Me", in which he recounted bumping into Ebert, introducing himself, then saying "And I just have to tell you, Roger, that sweater you're wearing? I hate, hate, hate, hate, hate that sweater." Then they both laughed and shook hands.
- GoofsWhen the lawyer, Arthur Bell, meets North for the first time on the street, he hands North his card and promptly takes it back. In the next shot, North is still holding the card. At that point, Mr. Bell reaches to shake North's hand (which is still holding the card) and in the next shot the card disappears again.
- Quotes
Joey Fingers: A bird in the hand is always greener than the grass under the other guy's bushes. It's a metaphor used by gardeners and landscaping people in general.
- SoundtracksIf I Were a Rich Man
from "Fiddler on the Roof"
Written by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick
Performed by Elijah Wood
- How long is North?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $40,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $7,182,747
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $3,036,050
- Jul 24, 1994
- Gross worldwide
- $7,182,747
- Runtime
- 1h 27m(87 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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