Yes, that was Fred Savage.
I always liked this movie because of its very real depiction of a family in grief. In most movies where a parent/spouse has died, you see the plucky family making a real go of it to move on and build a new life. In "The Boy Who Could Fly," the little boy is acting out with his military obsession, the sister is trying to find her way in a snotty new high school, and the mother is trying to build a career after years of being a stay-at-home mom. Financially, they aren't doing well.
The writers of this movie really deserve credit for showing what it is like to lose a loved one, which is really what the movie is about, rather than a boy who flies. Both the writers and actors deserve credit for lines like "It's just a matter of believing you can do it" without seeming cheezy or forced. They don't make interesting, realistic family movies like this anymore.
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DirtyBlvd
21 years ago
I love this movie, I watched it for the first time today. It has many realistic form of life and lessons.
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butterbunz36
20 years ago
I saw this movie for the first time last week... two days ago i went out and bought it. I'm absolutley IN LOVE with it. it really depitcs the 80's movies sterotype and i just love it. the whole idea that a beautiful- straight minded girl could be nice enough and willing to be a friend to a outcast autistic boy- and in the end fall in love. I recommend this movie to the regular movie go-ers.... its great. cant beat it.
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polexia
20 years ago
I saw this in the theatre when it came out -- I was 13. It's a fantastic film and one of my much loved favorites. Lucy Deakins was only a year or two older than me when it came out, so it was really cool to be able to identify well with her character and all. And Jay was so cute!
And they rode on in the friscalating dusklight.
Friends don't let friends vote Democrat.
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SuperSonicX
20 years ago
Yeah, they don't make 'em like this anymore. I usually catch this on TV every year, but I'm going to get the DVD sooner or later.
"The more I see, the less I know for sure." - John Lennon
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Bore_dom
20 years ago
I saw part of it on the tv once ages ago and was so mesmorised by it that I had to see all of it and promptly ordered it from the local store, I remember it cost a lot but was worth it. I want to see it again now, haven't seen it in ages.
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dolcercm
20 years ago
movie like these are hard to come by. i left a post on the DARYL message board about great movies that came out in the 80s.
The Boy who could fly was a very unexpected storyline. i was waiting for superman. but really it was a serious heartfelt story with odd circumstances.
as a child i didn't understand some parts of the film but i get it now.
its those great films where when u watch over time u pick up things u didn't before.
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ladyorthetygr
19 years ago
It is so good to see that so many people appreciated this movie! I haven't seen it in years, but i remember i really liked it. I've seen some people on this board make comments about many movies today being all about major special effects, etc. I've never been very impressed with special-effects, either..OR with a lot of gratuitous sex and language. I think part of what made this movie so great was that didn't have any of those things. It was just simple and good.
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