The Boy Who Could Fly (1986)
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71% of critics liked it
(17 reviews) -
63% of users liked it
(9,185 ratings)
Jay Underwood plays an autistic boy who provides a source of fascination to a new family in town. Never uttering a sound, Underwood spends hours in his backyard, attempting to fly like the birds. Lucy Deakins, the daughter of the new family, befriends Underwood; she is encouraged by teacher Colleen… More Jay Underwood plays an autistic boy who provides a source of fascination to a new family in town. Never uttering a sound, Underwood spends hours in his backyard, attempting to fly like the birds. Lucy Deakins, the daughter of the new family, befriends Underwood; she is encouraged by teacher Colleen Dewhurst to try to draw the boy out of his shell, and to keep a journal on the subject. Rendered unconscious in a fall, Deakins dreams that Underwood can fly. The boy is suddenly whisked away to an institution, and Deakins despairs that she'll never see him again. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Nick Castle Jr., Nick Castle
- Genres
- Drama, Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy
PG,
- In Theaters
- Aug 15, 1986 Wide
- On DVD
- Jul 8, 2003
- Studio
- 20th Century Fox
Critic Reviews
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Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
A charming fantasy with a lot of heart.
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Clint Morris, Moviehole
One of the best family films of the 80s. Lucy Deakins and Jay Underwood are delightful. A film you'll cherish forever.
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Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star
One of the hallmark films of the 1980s, full of whimsical charm.
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Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
It's sweet, it's touching, it's occasionally pretty corny -- but I've got a soft spot for this one all the same.
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A feel good movie about a teenager who cares deeply about another person and, in the process, experiences the renewal of her mind and spirit.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Lucy Deakins
as Milly
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Jay Underwood
as Eric
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Bonnie Bedelia
as Charlene
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Fred Savage
as Louis
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Colleen Dewhurst
as Mrs. Sherman
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Louise Fletcher
as Psychiatrist
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Fred Gwynne
as Uncle Hugo
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Cameron Bancroft
as Joe
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Michelle Bardeaux
as Erin
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Mindy Cohn
as Geneva
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Thomas Heaton
as Dr. Nelson
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Jake
as Max
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Sean Kelso
as Bad Boy
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Dwight Koss
as Dad
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Janet MacLachlan
as Mrs. D'Gregario
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Jennifer Michas
as Mona
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Terry David Mulligan
as Mr. Brandt
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Betty Phillips
as Institute Receptionist
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Aura Pithart
as Colette
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Jason Priestley
as Gary
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Meredith Bain-Woodward
as Female Administrator
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Dan Zale
as 2nd Attendant
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Warren Carr
as Guest Coupe
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Tommy Lee Wallace
as The Coupes de Villes
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Angela Gann
as Mrs. Betuel
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Scott Irvine
as Officer
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James E. McLarty
as Tour Guide
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Tannis Rae
as Ms. O'Neil
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Karen Siegel
as Dr. Karen Siegel
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Raimund Stamm
as 1st Attendant
- Barbara Miller
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John Carpenter
as The Coupe De Villes
