neumu [ cinematronic ]




	Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star
	Sam Weisman David Spade, Mary McCormack, Jon Lovitz, Craig Bierko, Alyssa Milano, Doris Roberts, Rob Reiner 2003		David Spade, as infantile receptionist Finch in the office sitcom "Just Shoot Me," was an integral part of the show's success. But asking the simpering Spade to carry a feature film, such as the labored comedy "Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star," is risky. There's only so much "weaselly" or "whiny" anyone can take. To be fair, Spade is the right choice to play Dickie Roberts, an aging, obnoxious, has-been TV star. Dickie's eager for a comeback and covets the lead in a new film. Since he never led a normal life, he's rejected by the director (Rob Reiner) as being incapable of playing a real person. Dickie thinks he can win the part if he properly relives his childhood, so he pays a suburban family to raise him for a month. It's a thin premise, and non-actor Spade can't make us root for repellent Dickie or buy his redemption. A minor amusement: Dickie plays poker with real ex-child stars from "The Brady Bunch," "The Partridge Family," etc. "Hollywood Minute," a celebrity-skewering skit Spade performed on TV's "Saturday Night Live," was a perfect dose of his smart-ass sarcasm — short and to the point. Coincidentally, there's about a minute of laughs in all of "Dickie Roberts." With Mary McCormack, Jon Lovitz and Alyssa Milano.