The Heavenly Kid is a 1985 American romantic comedy fantasy film directed by Cary Medoway and starring Lewis Smith, Jason Gedrick, Jane Kaczmarek and Richard Mulligan.[2][3][4][5]
| The Heavenly Kid | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Cary Medoway |
| Written by | Cary Medoway Martin Copeland |
| Produced by | Mort Engelberg |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Steven Poster |
| Edited by | Christopher Greenbury |
| Music by | Kennard Ramsey Roxanne Seeman |
| Distributed by | Orion Pictures Corporation |
Release date |
|
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $3.9 million[1] |
Plot
editIn the late 1960s, young greaser-type rebel Bobby Fontana, challenges Joe Barnes to a game of chicken for making a pass at his girlfriend Emily. Bobby wins the race easily when Joe dives out of his car, but he himself is unable to get out of the car in time due to his bracelet getting caught on the gearshift. He dies as his car plummets over the cliff into a fiery wreck.
Bobby awakens to find himself aboard a speeding train, which stops at a station housing a huge escalator going up into a bright white light, which one of the attendants refers to as "Uptown". He is denied entry, and Rafferty appears and explains that he is not yet considered ready and needs to carry out an "assignment" in order to earn his ticket Uptown.
After many years in limbo, Bobby is finally given his assignment: he is to return to Earth and act as a guardian angel and friend for Lenny Barnes, a promising high school student who is constantly picked on in school, particularly by school bullies Fred Gallo and Bill McIntyre. However, Bobby is instructed that he is only allowed to reveal himself to Lenny and nobody else.
Bobby helps Lenny by giving him a makeover, assisting him in dealing with Fred and Bill, and helping him win the affection of the hottest girl in school, Sharon. However, Bobby comes to realize that the new lifestyle Lenny is leading is not noble, as it causes him to rebel against everyone, including his parents and long-time friend Melissa.
Bobby discovers that Lenny's mother is Emily, his former girlfriend, and is married to Joe, the man he was racing when he died. Bobby breaks the rules and reveals himself to Emily to confess his love for her, and she informs him that he is Lenny's father.
In a scene reminiscent of the opening sequence, Lenny is challenged to a race of chicken at the local quarry by Fred, Sharon's former boyfriend. Having been told by Rafferty that Lenny will die just as Bobby did earlier, Bobby offers to trade his own chance to move Uptown (essentially, his own immortal soul) to save Lenny's life.
Much like Bobby's car race, the race ends with Lenny and Bobby flying over the edge of a cliff, and the car exploding in a fiery wreck. However, Bobby prevents him from dying, and they climb up the cliff together. Bobby helps Lenny see the error of his ways as Lenny reunites with Melissa.
After bidding an emotional goodbye to Lenny, during which he tells him that they will always be best friends, Bobby offers himself to Rafferty to fulfill his end of the bargain by accepting a ride "Downtown" (essentially, to Hell).
However, Rafferty explains that this will not be happening. Bobby incredulously asks why, since he had made a deal to trade his own soul for Lenny's second chance at life. Rafferty explains to Bobby that he had learned to love and value someone more than himself, and that is how one earned a ticket Uptown. They fly into the sky on a motorbike, and Bobby boards the escalator to Uptown.[6]
Cast
edit- Lewis Smith as Bobby Fontana
- Jason Gedrick as Lenny Barnes
- Jane Kaczmarek as Emily
- Richard Mulligan as Rafferty
- Mark Metcalf as Joe Barnes
- Beau Dremann as McIntyre
- Stephen Gregory as Fred Gallo
- Anne Sawyer as Sharon
- Nancy Valen as Melissa
- Chad Wiggins-Grady as Jerry
- Scott Stone as Frank
- Rooney Kerwin as Suburbanite
- Will Knickerbocker as Max
- Harold Bergman as Mr. Finley
- Donna Rosae as Boulevard Girl
- Barney Johnston as Platform Official
- Lit Gonnah as Bag Lady
- Bill Ash as Older Official
- Willie Woods as Vendor
- Jody Sharlow as Surfer
- David Stidham as Slick Salesman
- Kevin L. Clarit as Grease Jockey
- T.R. Durphy as Drug Dealer
- Debra Gallagher as Plain Girl
- Lynne Griffin as Waitress
- Stacy Koolick as Student
- Christopher Greenbury as Man Eating Hot Dog
Soundtrack
editThe film's soundtrack, The Heavenly Kid (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) was produced by George Duke and consists of ten songs featured in the movie.[7] The soundtrack was released on vinyl, cassette and as of 2013 it was available digitally through iTunes and Amazon MP3. The vinyl album was taken out of print almost as quickly as it became available due to manufacturing defects on the LP: during the tracks "Animal Attraction" and "Cruisin' Tonight" there are several misaligned grooves that transferred to all copies of the LP which caused major skips.
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Performer | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Heartless" | Bruce Gaitsch, Lisa Sennett | Joe Lynn Turner | 3:59 |
| 2. | "The Heavenly Kid (Out on the Edge)" | George Duke, Randy Goodrum | Jon Fiore | 4:09 |
| 3. | "Heart of Love" | Billie Hughes, Roxanne Seeman | Jamie Bond | 4:36 |
| 4. | "Obsession" | David Martin, Greg Guidry | Howard Hewett | 4:03 |
| 5. | "Cruisin' Tonight" | George Duke, Randy Goodrum | Debra Laws | 3:52 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Performer | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Animal Attraction" | Gloria Sklerov, Lenny Macaluso | Jamie Bond | 3:59 |
| 2. | "Two Minute Love" | Danny Sembello, Jim McKeever | Mickey Thomas | 3:58 |
| 3. | "So Mean to Me" | George Duke | The George Duke Band | 3:59 |
| 4. | "Hamburgers" | George Duke | George Duke | 3:41 |
| 5. | "When the Children Make the Mighty Fall" | Mick Muhlfreidel | Neko-Meka | 4:52 |
Songs that are featured in the movie but not included on the soundtrack are "So Far Away”, "Dream Machine”, "I Need The Touch" and "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On”.
See also
editNotes
edit- "Seventh Annual Youth in Film Awards" by Young Artist Foundation, http://www.youngartistawards.org/, July 7, 2006, retrieved July 7, 2006
References
edit- ^ "The Heavenly Kid". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2021-08-23.
- ^ "'Heavenly Kid' does good job with old theme By Candice Russell". Fort Lauderdale News. 1985-07-26. p. 40. Retrieved 2024-12-04 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "'Heavenly Kid' slips on details but manages to redeem itself By Ed Blank, the Pittsburgh Press". The Pittsburgh Press. 1985-07-25. p. 43. Retrieved 2024-12-04 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "'Kid' keeps its sense of humor By Tom Sabulis, Dallas Times Herald". Sunday News. 1985-08-04. p. 16. Retrieved 2024-12-04 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "AFI|Catalog". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
- ^ "THE HEAVENLY KID Wait - the plot thickens by Roxanne T. Mueller, movie critic". Newspapers.com. 1985-08-07. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ Soundtracks Top July Release Schedule. Billboard. 1985-07-06.