‘Indian’ Is A Cupboardful Of Entertaining Fantasy
A wondrous, wistful fantasy, “The Indian in the Cupboard” has the makings of an instant classic.
This stirring adaptation of the bestselling children’s book by Lynne Reid Banks has made the transition with considerable care thanks to Melissa Mathison’s delicately nuanced screenplay and Frank Oz’s respectfully contained, wide-eyed approach to the material.
While there are no big draws to be found on the marquee or requisite sonic booms on the soundtrack, this relatively quiet summer entry still stands to make some box office magic building on strong word-of-mouth.
Young Hal Scardino, in a truly remarkable starring debut, is perfectly cast as Omri, the birthday boy who discovers that a miniature plastic American Indian and an old wooden cupboard can be far cooler presents than a skateboard.
With the help of a special key, Omri inadvertently brings the 3-inch tall, 18th-century Indian to life (in the reduced form of Cherokee rap artist Litefoot), and along with all the amusing results, learns some valuable life lessons about taking responsibility for one’s actions.
Oz and Mathison make a great creative team. The director’s extensive Muppet experience serves him well here in forging a relationship that never condescends to his target audience. Mathison, meanwhile, has tailored a beautiful script from the source material that resonates some of that “E.T.” enchantment, remaining free of any cloying moments.
Among the cast members, Litefoot makes for an effectively noble but charismatic Little Bear while David Keith is a hoot as a transformed plastic gunslinger. Lindsay Crouse and Richard Jenkins make for convincing parents, but the bulk of the picture rests on the slight shoulders of Scardino, whose unmannered, affecting work is among the best youth performances in recent memory.
Technical aspects are similarly impressive without being flashy. Miniature effects are truly mindboggling while never overpowering the film’s disarming simplicity.
xxxx “The Indian In The Cupboard” Location: Lincoln Heights, Newport and Coeur d’Alene cinemas Credits: Directed by Frank Oz, starring Hal Scardino, Litefoot, Lindsay Crouse, Richard Jenkins, Rishi Bhat and David Keith Running time: 1:36 Rating: PG
The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = By Michael Rechtshaffen The Hollywood Reporter