Alyssa Milano, Ashley Edner, Barry Williams

Dickie Roberts (David Spade) used to be a successful child actor, but now, at age 35, he parks cars for a living. Eager to get back into show business, he hires a foster family (including Mary McCorma...( read more  read more... )ck as his make-believe mom) to help him relive the childhood he never had -- sure that a dose of "normalcy" will help him win a coveted role. Alyssa Milano and Jon Lovitz also star.

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55% liked it

60,067 ratings

PG-13, 98 min.

Directed by: Sam Weisman

Release Date: September 3, 2003

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DVD Release Date: February 17, 2004

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Stats: 1,918 reviews

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  • May 14, 2008
    "This is Nuckin' Futs!"


    Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star is a film that was severely panned by critics and audiences upon first release. It met with such an appalling reception that I purposely avoided it in fear of it being as horrible as some people have sa

    ...( read more)id. However when I finally watched the film all my previous expectations were surpassed. People called it 'poor' and 'laugh-less' but I guess it's a matter of taste: I laughed quite frequently and found it to be decent comedy.


    Dickie Roberts (Spade) was a very popular child actor who had an enormous fan base. After his show was cancelled while still a young child, the 'child actor syndrome' kicks in: i.e. Dickie is no longer a desired actor among the studios. He slips off the grid and out of the industry due to his sudden drop in popularity. Even his mother leaves him while he is still at a young age. Now an adult, Dickie is poor and has been reduced to typical jobs such as being a valet attendant who parks cars. He misses the fame and popularity of being a famous actor. When in Hollywood he meets Brendan Fraser (played by himself, logically enough) who is able to get Dickie an audition for the new Rob Reiner film. But Dickie is rejected because he doesn't have the genuine feel of the part due to his childhood that he was robbed of. Reiner believes that Dickie just isn't a real person because of the way stardom affected him when he was a child. Dickie is still determined to get the part and stage a successful comeback. To do this he will need to develop a personality of his own. So he advertises a considerable amount of money if a family will allow him to move in and hopefully relive a proper childhood. Dickie moves in with the typical suburban family: selfless mother Grace (McCormack), selfish father George (Bierko) and their two kids Sam (Terra) and Sally (Boyd).


    There is a good basic premise here. It's a well-known fact that child stars usually disappear from the spotlight or their life is lost to drugs and alcohol. Although the script is decent, it's ultimately flawed massively by its overuse of clichés and conventions. Not to mention a few sickening sub-plots like the predictable one concerning Dickie falling in love with his new mother Grace. There's quite a bit of sexual humour trapped within this solitary sub-plot. And then of course we have the obligatory few scenes concerning school bullies that Dickie swiftly takes care of. These are all predictable and it wouldn't be a tragedy if they were left out. Despite this they're still mildly amusing at times.


    The central laughs are built on the clever dialogue deliveries from David Spade. I'm not going to tell a lie at all - I thought that some of his insulting rants were absolutely hilarious and I was laughing out loud quite constantly. But it's a shame there wasn't any effort on the part of the screenwriter (looking at you, David Spade) to create any other gags or any other characters that can deliver funny dialogue.


    After the first third of this film, we all know what the outcome will be. The conclusion is cheesy and predictable beyond words. The good news is that there are a number of decent laughs to keep one entertained despite its predictability.


    David Spade is funny when given the right material to work with. Using a script he wrote himself it seems he gave his character the majority of the funny dialogue. The rest of the acting is okay but nothing groundbreaking. The kids sometimes seemed a little cardboard, as did the rest of the cast at times. Acting lessons are badly required during some sections of the movie.


    Aside from its flaws and shortcomings, Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star at least stocks a good supply of laughs. There's no brilliance or innovation in the laughs department; however the film is still hilarious viewing. One of the film's highlights: a reunion of genuine former child stars being grouped together for a musical finale during the end credits.
  • April 29, 2008
    one star is enough, how anyone can give it more than 2 is astounding
  • July 27, 2007
    Pretty funny, if only for David Spade.
  • July 16, 2007
    David Spade embodies Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star with the snide, glib, and bored attitude for which he is loved by his fans.
  • July 2, 2007
    Loved it, I thought it was David Spades best movie that didn't include Chris Farley.
  • November 17, 2009
    It wasn't a Joe Dirt
  • November 15, 2009
    YEH THE BEST MOVIE EVER
  • October 23, 2009
    Has David Spade been in any movies that were funny???
  • September 18, 2009
    I want to see this so bad
  • September 4, 2009
    A VERY FUNNY DAVID SPADE FLICK

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Comments


  • cassirox
    December 28, 2007
    best movie i have seen in my ENTIRE life!! I LOVE david spade!! Seriously if you LOVE comedy and you haven't seen this movie yet watch it!!
  • 1of2inamillion
    June 2, 2007
    I soooooooooooooooooooo wanna see this movie!!! It has Alyssa Milano in it and I absolutley love her.

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Dickie Roberts - Former Child Star Trivia

Dickie Roberts - Former Child Sta... Trivia


  • In the flim Dickie Roberts former child star what colour does Dickie try and dye his hair?  Answer »
  • In the move Dickie Roberts:Former Child Star, what big movie role is Dickie trying to get?  Answer »
  • Who is the title role in "Dickie Roberts former child star"  Answer »
  • What is "dicky roberts"(dickie roberts: former child star) is his catchphrase  Answer »

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