Look Who's Talking (1989)

59% of critics liked it
(34 reviews)
53% of users liked it
(232,740 ratings)

Though its PG-13 rating is well earned, Look Who's Talking has some elements that might appeal to a family audience. Chief among them, of course, is the "talking baby" protagonist. The product of an extramarital affair, infant Mikey (played by several different babies, and given voice by Bruce… More Though its PG-13 rating is well earned, Look Who's Talking has some elements that might appeal to a family audience. Chief among them, of course, is the "talking baby" protagonist. The product of an extramarital affair, infant Mikey (played by several different babies, and given voice by Bruce Willis) is a cynical, sarcastic observer of his new world. Mikey's mother, Kirstie Alley, having been dumped by her married lover George Segal, searches high and low for a new father for her baby. Of course, the perfect daddy is right under her nose all the time: cab driver John Travolta, who was on the scene when she went into labor on the sidewalk. The best moments in Look Who's Talking include Ms. Alley's imaginary flights of fancy, and the misadventures of Mikey as he progresses from sperm to reluctant newborn (his violent vocal protests against being yanked from the womb are worth the admission price in themselves). Look Who's Talking has spawned two sequels, neither of which are as charming or disarming as the original. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Amy Heckerling
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 13, 1989 Wide
On DVD: Feb 24, 1998
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Like a standup comic pouring 'flopsweat', this ill-conceived comedy about an infant whose thoughts are given voice by actor Bruce Willis palpitates with desperation.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
Cute is the operative word for the movie, which stars some good actors doing material that is not super.
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
This flabby comedy ... deserves only one thing: to fall on its fat one.
Hal Hinson, Washington Post
This is a great idea for a sketch, not a feature, and if Heckerling had resisted padding it out, it might have made a brilliant short. A comedy can ride only so far on high concept. It has to deliver the jokes, and this one doesn't.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
This fairly unlikely idea for a movie turns into a warm and lovable comedy, although I still don't think it needed the voiceovers from the baby.
Roger Piantadosi, Washington Post
Travolta, you should know, has a dance scene. But it's not what you think.
Kelly Kessler, Common Sense Media
Enjoyable first film in the "talking baby" genre.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
With his sarcastic delivery, Willis has the ideal voice for the part. Alley and Travolta are affable enough, but the story itself is ordinary and merely passes time.
, Film4
Hollywood movie-making at its most contrived and shallow.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Heckerling directs this dippy but delightful film with a light, zany touch and a reasonably low yuck-factor (dribbles notwithstanding).
Clint Morris, Moviehole
A stale idea that actually works, largely due to the capable cast
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
surprisingly funny
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Better than its sequels -- that's not saying much.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Grating but surprisingly popular
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
It's a gimmick, but it works.

Read all 15 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

John M

Classic fun film.
erika b

Look who's talking is about a women who is looking for a man who could be a good father after his real father left him for another man, The mother was hooking up with all the wrong man but the baby knows who he think is the right guy for the molly. Pros A decent film John… More
Look who's talking is about a women who is looking for a man who could be a good father after his real father left him for another man, The mother was hooking up with all the wrong man but the baby knows who he think is the right guy for the molly. Pros A decent film John Travolta and Bruce Willis were good in this film. Mickey was cute and funny, Good plot. Cons Film was lacking at times. Good for a one-time watch or a rental.
Brad W

Funny, bt not amazing or hilarious, but original.
Lady D

Good fun and easy watching, Kirsty Alley and John Travolta pair up in this family comedy with a comical voiceover from Bruce Willis - A feel good film.
Chris W

Bruce Willis is a scream in this very funny, witty, and unique tale. It's a nice little rom-com about a woman who gives birth out of wedlock. The catch though, is that the focus is on her baby- voiced by Willis. Kirstie Alley is pretty good as the mom, and Travolta is also not… More
Bruce Willis is a scream in this very funny, witty, and unique tale. It's a nice little rom-com about a woman who gives birth out of wedlock. The catch though, is that the focus is on her baby- voiced by Willis. Kirstie Alley is pretty good as the mom, and Travolta is also not too bad (but not great) as the man who comes to fall in love with Mikey and his mom. This movie has aged a fair amount, but it still is mostly pretty good. Good for a rainy day watch.
Cassie H

Molly (Kirstie Alley), is an accountant who has been having an affair with another accountant, Albert (George Segal). Molly is in love with James & is really happy because he is getting divorced. Everything changes when she gets pregnant. During Molly's pregnancy, Albert is… More
Molly (Kirstie Alley), is an accountant who has been having an affair with another accountant, Albert (George Segal). Molly is in love with James & is really happy because he is getting divorced. Everything changes when she gets pregnant. During Molly's pregnancy, Albert is very supportive & helpful. Molly is very happy until she finds out that he's fallen in love with another woman. So when Molly goes into labor cab driver, James (John Travolta) assists her when Molly is having the baby. Mikey (Bruce Willis), the baby is very smart & it will take all of Mikey's thoughts & ideas to bring Molly & James together. Adorable movie & I love the Beach Boys music in it! :)
Anthony L

I loved it when it came out, now I just find it creepy.
Jason O

Two thumbs up indeed! THIS movie is a classic! Mollie (Kirstie Alley) accidentally becomes pregnant by the wrong man. Seeing that a relationship with the real father just won't work out, she goes on a search to find a suitable father for her new son, Mikey. While she's going… More
Two thumbs up indeed! THIS movie is a classic! Mollie (Kirstie Alley) accidentally becomes pregnant by the wrong man. Seeing that a relationship with the real father just won't work out, she goes on a search to find a suitable father for her new son, Mikey. While she's going out searching for the right one, her babysitter, James (John Travolta), has the time of his life watching over Mikey. Could James possibly be more than a babysitter, or is there a better man? That's one of the best things about "Look Who's Talking". Kirstie Alley and John Travolta have great chemistry together, and they, along with the baby, make this movie a classic that I'll never forget. The movie takes turns following Mollie around as she meets a bunch of Mr. Wrongs while she tries to find Mr. Right, and Mikey, who has Bruce Willis telling us all what Mikey's thinking throughout the movie. "Look Who's Talking" has several parts that you'll probably remember for the rest of your life once you see them, such as the opening sequence that shows hundreds of creatures inside the body talking to each other as they race for the endzone, and my favorite, the part where the song "Walking on Sunshine" plays as James shows Mikey how to dance. That brings me to another point. "Look Who's Talking" has a GREAT soundtrack. From the upbeat "Walking on Sunshine", to the overly catchy "Let My Love Open the Door", you might find yourself jamming along to some of the tunes while both hemispheres of your brain work together to form your overall opinion of the movie itself. If you ask me, I say that "Look Who's Talking" is one of the best movies of the late 80's, and I'd even go so far as saying it's one of the best in its genre. It's funny, it has good drama and acting, and it's entertaining from start to finish. What more can you ask for? Get it now! NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2002. Unique how at the beginning of this movie they show sperm swimming, rather memorable opening.
Alexander W

I haven't seen much about this film recently. But I recommend it.
Tim S

Bruce Willis is still cool even when he's a baby.
Candy R

Movie about talking babies.
Dan S

Ok, but not great.
Lafe F

A cute date movie. Go see it, you young bunny rabbits! Yeah, it was cute. I'm serious. Bruce Willis does the voice of the insightful and playful baby. Gotta love it.
xGary X

Cutesy babies. WHO TALK!! Where did I put that uzi...?
Megan S

I love this movie. So funny, so cute. But they should have stopped while they were ahead.
Dean M

Like a stand-up comic pouring "flopsweat", this ill conceived comedy about an infant whose thoughts are given voice by Bruce Willis palpitates with desperation. One need look no further for underscoring this film's ineptitube than its title. <i>Look Who's… More
Like a stand-up comic pouring "flopsweat", this ill conceived comedy about an infant whose thoughts are given voice by Bruce Willis palpitates with desperation. One need look no further for underscoring this film's ineptitube than its title. <i>Look Who's Voice-Overing</i> would be a far more appropiate moniker, as Willis isn't heard by the film's other characters.
danny d

good in its time, but doesnt hold up
Jason S

Funny for the time before computers could make the mouths on the babies move around.
Leigh R

Fantastic.
James A

A talking baby with the voice of Bruce Willis is gold.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Cast

            John Travolta as James Ubriacco

            Kirstie Alley as Molly

            Olympia Dukakis as Rosie

            George Segal as Albert

            Abe Vigoda as Grandpa

            Bruce Willis as Mikey

            Jason Schaller as Mikey

            Jaryd Waterhouse as Mikey

            Jacob Haines as Mikey

            Christopher Aydon as Mikey

            Gerry Bean as Pilot Friend

            Joy Boushel as Melissa

            Twink Caplan as Rona

            Brenda Crichlow as Secretary

            Deryl Hayes as Pilot Friend

            Louis Heckerling as Lou

            Mollie Israel as Little Girl

            D.J. Jackson as Burly Orderly

            Blu Mankuma as Director

            Enid Saunders as Ester

            Jerry Wasserman as Mr. Anal

            Don S. Davis as Dr. Fleisher

            William B. Davis as Drug Doctor

            Neal Israel as Mr. Ross

            Oscar B. Ramos as Hospital Worker

            Joan Rivers as Julie [uncredited]

            Shirley Barclay as Nurse

            David Berner as Mr. Impatience

            William Britos as Home Orderly

            Zena Darawalla as Lupe

            Aurelio di Nunzio as Orderly

            Casey B. Grant as Admitting Clerk

            Jeff Irvine as Admitting Doctor

            Andrea Mann as Salesgirl

            Daliah Novak as Carrie

            Nicholas Rice as Harry

            Douglas Tuck as Cab Stealer

            Alex Bruhanski as Street Worker
See full cast