Frog

The delightful depiction of young Arlo's troubled adolescence is full of lessons for adults even moreso than the kids. I wasn't familiar with the child actors, but I certainly enjoyed their performances. Shelly Duval and Elliott Gould are parents who make us examine our own parental behavior, and laugh at ourselves. All the dozen or so kids I've shown this movie to (aged 8-13) loved it and said it was a keeper!

I happened upon this movie this past weekend on Showtime and I was captivated. This movie had a very cute story, and some really funny parts to it. I especially died laughing when the big Bullfrog who was Arlo's friend in the poison pond broke into song! HA!

All in all, good fun for everyone.

My one question is this...... why was Robin Tunney not credited in her pivotal role as the nerd girl, fighting to save the poison pond, who eventually kisses the frog and turns Arlo back into a human? If Denise Richards keeps "Tammy and the T-Rex" on her resume, I don't see why Robin Tunney can't keep this on hers.

"Frog" centers around a young boy Arlo (Scott Grimes) who loves to collect reptiles and amphibians. His basement is full of them. His parents are concerned about his development but do nothing but talk. Despite his geekiness a girl named Suzy (Amy Lynne) likes him though Suzy's friend Kathy (Elizabeth Berkley) does not. Typical budding teen relationship behavior so far. But one day Arlo acquires a new frog for his collection. The frog turns out to be an enchanted prince turned into a frog. The remainder of the film centers around Arlo's attempts to find a beautiful women who is willing to kiss the frog and turn him back into a prince. For some reason women have a distinct adversion to kissing frogs so the quest is not without difficulty. Particularly when parents and friends do not understand whats going on. Over all the acting is fine with each actress and actor convincing in their role. As a coming of age film, "Frog" is also fine. The viewer watches Arlo learn that there is more to life than reptiles and amphibians, Suzy learn that Arlo is a nice boy, and Kathy learn that you do not need to like all your friend's friends to be a friend. The film has some genuine humorous moments as well. Particularly the frog in the popcorn and Arlo and Suzy in the pond.

Truly one of the finer coming-of-age stories out there. Fine acting from the mother, whom you may remember from The Shining amongst other items. She even played a major role in the production. The effects are stimulating. The young boy going against his RUBUS state, squarer than a L-7 Weenie, through the help of his frog/science project. The frog effects bedazzled me.

His large reptile collection represents an urge to go beyond his mere human emotions, consisting mostly of an overwhelming sense of rejection and helplessness. If only the Coloroda shooters had frogs of their own. If every boy was issued a frog and no fret of a mother's concern of the dangerous swamp.

The final war-rally of the frogs is almost a scene out of Braveheart.

My emotions are too overpowering to continue with the review. This breathtaking romp through the spectrum of human emotion still sends shivers down my spine. This is something YOU MUST EXPERIENCE FOR YOURSELF. Even if it's the last thing you do....

Viewing recommended only under extreme medication. It's just that good.

Rather than summarizing this outstanding film as others have done, let me point out how educational, engaging and humorous Frog is. When teaching, I used it frequently at various age levels. Students from grades four through seven loved it. So many aspects of the curriculum could be the pivotal purpose for the screening ... obviously science, composition, guidance, humour among them.

It is timeless with regard to friendships, early male/female interaction, parent-child relationships, biology, fantasy and more. There wasn't a single time that I used it as a teaching tool that I wasn't as engrossed as the students. Thank goodness there was never a fire drill, bomb scare or any other distraction during the showings. The groans would likely have been heard up and down the halls.

Anyone who hasn't seen it, no matter their age has missed a golden dream of a film.