Bubble Boy

Bubble Boy has all the makings of a disposable comedy, something you'd expect to see on cable and maybe (what the hell) give it a shot. And that's how it gets ya. The film has an outsized heart, the story of an immuno-compromised kid that defies his station in life and goes on a quest for the girl of his dreams. Along the way, we're met with some of the funniest supporting characters the early aughts had to offer. I was ready to dismiss this movie at first glance but I'm relieved I didn't. It's a blast.

In a mother's (Swoose Kurtz) attempt to keep her little boy Jimmy (Jake Gyllenhaal), she convinces him that he needs to live in a bubble to protect him from germs, and "little girls". Well, it was inevitable that he should grow up. His favorite girl Chloe (Marley Shelton) is running off with another man and this will burst Jimmy's bubble.

Slapstick's moronic attempts at humor mask this hero's journey through space-time. He learns more about himself as he encounters many new religions and cultures. All encounters are intertwined with each other in some fashion and there are no loose ends. It fits the formula well with a timeline and a direction to a goal that not even the hero is aware of.

When I rented it, I was expecting to be disappointed. What a shock! An awesome film with a delightfully goofy plot. I did not find it offensive in any reagrd. In fact, I disagree with those who have called the film "stupid" or "dumb" or void of any real social commentary. In a nutshell, Almost everyone Jimmy encounters on his adventure is trapped in their own self imposed bubble. Truth is, we all find ways to insulate ourselves from the world, and impose "Bubbles" to convince ourselves of non-existent limitations that prevent us from being and doing what we want. The film's irony and beauty lies in the fact that while Jimmy's bubble is the most obvious, he is the free-est character in the film. He refuses to accept the limitations of his bubble, and will follow his heart no matter what the cost. How many of us can look in the mirror and say the same about ourselves? Well worth the cost of rental. One of the least recognized film jewels of the century so far.

You'll watch this and feel like you've seen it before.

Jake Gylenhaal in a goofy, funnier role.

This has all the typical silly gags of this era yet still has some wholesomeness to it.

This was my first introduction to Beetlejuice, who I found terrifying back then but the more I looked int, is actually hilarious.

This is a fun, dumb, flick.

I can understand why people hate it as comedy as always been a hard one to master.

It's either too juvenile or too serious.

This falls into the juvenile category but may still get some laughs.

Worth the watch if you're sick of the seriousness of the world and need an easy laugh.

I caught this movie by mistake after it was broadcast on BBC1 at midnight last night, I just had to go straight out and get the DVD. It only had a one star rating in my television magazine which I think is terrible. It was a highly entertaining film which myself at 26, my 24 year old girlfriend, my 53 year old mother and even my very young daughter highly enjoyed - A really entertaining, pleasant family movie and obviously VERY under-rated in the UK. It was just one laugh after another, a really uplifting, funny story with a not-too over the top ending (although it was a little predictable). I would, however, like to send my respect to the family & friends of Matthew McGrory, as he always played great characters in all of his movies - I was very shocked and upset to hear that he passed away earlier this year, he will be immortalised by all of the great roles that he entertained the world with.