Rated PG-13 - Running Time: 1:35 - Released 8/24/01
BUBBLE BOY
Rated PG-13 - Running Time: 1:35 - Released 8/24/01
Although the idea for Blair Hayes's Bubble Boy seems initially
like a lame offshoot of the "bubble boy" episode of
Seinfeld (which itself probably derived from the comically
weepy 1976 TV movie The Boy In The Plastic Bubble starring
a pre-Saturday Night Fever John Travolta in melodramatic
overdrive), it is actually much different. "Different"
is a good word for this film, written by Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio,
and Michael Kalesniko, as it almost deserves its own genre. Recklessly
weaving its way back and forth between lowbrow slapstick, romantic
comedy, and bizarro-world surrealism, Bubble Boy leaves
us baffled as to its director's intentions, and to those of Disney-owned
Touchstone Pictures, who apparently distributed the film against
the protests of Carol Ann Demaret, mother of real (deceased) "bubble
boy" David Vetter. Unfortunately, as most of its jokes fall
flat, it's just too dumb to get worked up about. Starring October Sky's Jake Gyllenhaal as
the innocent but determined title character, Bubble Boy's
sense of humor is so offbeat it makes you wonder if you're getting
all the jokes.
We learn in an opening monologue that good-natured, hairstyle-challenged
Jimmy Livingston was born without an immune system. To allow him
to come home from the hospital, his parents construct an elaborate
system of plastic bubbles and tunnels in their Palmdale, Calif.,
home. Although his closet-Nazi mother (Swoosie Kurtz) tries to
protect him from the outside world (altering fairy tales to include
bubble-bound main characters who invariably die when they venture
outside), he eventually notices girl-next-door Chloe (Marley Shelton),
and over the years the pair develop a deep friendship based mainly
on their mutual love for the vintage TV show Land Of The Lost.
Eventually, however, Chloe begins seeing a boorish lout named
Mark (Dave Sheridan), who admits that he just wants to get into
her pants. Heartbroken, Jimmy watches as Chloe and Mark get serious
and finally announce their engagement. After they leave for Niagara
Falls, he decides he must follow them and stop the wedding so
he can tell Chloe of his love.
After constructing a mini-bubble in which he can walk around,
Jimmy begins his cross-country journey. Pursued by his panicked
parents, he encounters a vast number of truly bizarre characters,
including a bus full of brainwashed religious cultists whose leader
is played by Fabio, a boxcar full of circus freaks owned by midget
Verne Troyer ("Mini-Me" of Austin
Powers fame), a good-hearted Latino biker (Danny Trejo)
and an Indian ice cream/curry vendor, all of whom end up chasing
Jimmy or each other to Niagara for various kooky reasons.
The style of this film is not unlike Pee-wee's Big Adventure, as it follows a comically innocent weirdo around the country, through all sorts of strange adventures and characters. But while Paul Reubens's Pee-wee was a loud, wildly energetic leading character who seemed to propel the comedy by virtue of his outlandishness, Jimmy is the least interesting person in this movie; Gyllenhaal's attempt at an affable leading man comes off as bland and simple-minded. In fact, he is so outperformed by all the goofy people that surround him, one can't help but wonder if freshman director Hayes didn't intentionally go for the bizarre in order to compensate for his leading actor's lack of character. At any rate, this film's uncomfortable mix of style and the lackluster quality of its milquetoast hero begets many comic misfires and many downright weird situations, and, unless you're on drugs or in the mood to be baffled, offers precious few laughs for the buck. **