Geoffrey DeLeons
I found this film abusive and mean. A violent death of a character (Nancy Travis') after a repoire has been established with her and the audience is not the way to start a film. For the sake of discretion and to eliminate cheap sensationalism, the film should have begun after the child's (Albert's) mother had already died. Then, he should have been surrounded by supportive adults who truly try to understand and nourish his spirit. Instead, we literally get a bunch of clowns.I rooted for Albert when he ran from the funeral proceedings to regard the symbolism of the dove, aloft and soaring. I rooted for him, also, when he was being led to the plane to Newark (sic) and refused to even look back, let alone wave, to his cheering, selfish, betraying acquaintances.Having come from a foster family, herself, Whoopi Goldberg's character (Harriet Franklin) should have been much more empathetic, and even eager, to share some of the success, knowledge and wisdom that she had acquired in life from her childhood situation, saving the child from years, possibly, of state sponsorship and additional trauma.Instead, hers is a single-dimensional character that could have been played by anyone. Her disregard and terrorizing of the traumatized child at the airport is inexcuseable. The lines written for Depardieu are formulaic and uninspiring. His appearance, role and goals in Albert's life are not explained, even a little bit. The people we care for most in Bogus are the ones who are most maligned and abused; Albert and his mother. The selfish, callous robots in the film are given free reign. The fact that Albert is dominated, neglected and abused in the film speaks a great deal about the heart of the screenwriters (Jeff Rothberg and Francis X. McCarthy) and their opinion of children. The racist behavior by Harriet while on the phone with the lawyer should have been scrapped. The bathroom scene with Albert and Depardieu was too risqué and should have been eliminated. The movie needed to be re-written by someone with heart, intelligence, depth and writing skill. Whoopi Goldberg is fully, maybe even eminently, capable of playing a part of great depth, wisdom, courage and love, yet they made her just another "businessperson clone".Gepardieu should have been a real character (perhaps, co-incidentally, a wise-street magician) that Albert and Harriet meet in the park in Newark, becoming a mentor to Albert and deep, close friend to Harriet. This would have made this a truly enchanting and valuable movie. With these allies, the pain of Albert's loss could have been superseded, and his creativity, bravery and self-esteem given loft and wings, like the dove at his mother's grave.
veronicammartin
This is a very moving film about loss and triumph ; the question all the way is how much is the child's imagination and how much is real.Haley Joel Osment plays bereavement well for one so young.Gerard Depardieu and Whoopie Goldberg are beautifully played and again we are left to wonder as to how much is actually happening.The story unfolds to portray the growing trust between the child and his guardian as they both battle their berevement and the child coping in a new city.It may seem an unlikely topic for a film and at times slightly surreal but the ending left me feeling very moved and somehow ...hopeful.
ianlouisiana
In his graceful overgrown sheepdog sort of way Gerard Depardieu good - naturedly has this movie in his hip pocket.He grins wryly,shrugs in the Gallic manner and mugs his way happily through what could have been a syruppy saccharine part as Albert's imaginary friend come to life to help him deal with the death of his beloved circus performer mother. Farmed out to Whoopi Goldberg - a reluctant stepmother if there ever was one - Albert (young Master Osment) is a rebel without a pause until Bogus shows him the common ground he and Miss Goldberg can inhabit. I would normally walk a mile over broken glass in my bare feet to avoid movies about cute kids and their imaginary pals,but "Bogus" never quite takes itself seriously.Just when you fear it might turn into a blubfest there is a change of mood and we're off to the races,as it were,with Gerard and Whoopi in the saddle. The soundtrack is marvellous,Depardieu and La Goldberg have a lot of fun with some energetic dance routines and the movie is an all-round happy experience.A wonderful alternative to watching the FTSE and Dow Jones drop to an all - time low whilst waiting in vain for the first banker to jump out of a window.
MEEdmo42
After reading the many comments and watching the movie several times, I think I realize why Albert's friend was French. The people he was closest to in his former life were the French magician and his wife/partner. Therefore it made sense that his imaginary friend was like them. I loved the movie and though Harriet seemed to change suddenly in some people's opinion, I think she was changing throughout the movie. The looks she gave and the thoughts that seemed to be going through her mind, were very evident of that fact. Gérard Depardieu was excellent in the part of Bogus, the evidence between him being so big and the boy so small. How many times have we as adults wished for someone big and strong to take us up and give us comfort? I loved the ending where he wandered away to help another child. Sometimes in my life, I wish for someone like him. He also has a lovely smile. Good movie for that time when you are wanting something different.
