Main Cast: Rick Moranis, Tom Arnold, Julianne Phillips, Carol Kane, Jeffrey Tambor
Release Year: 1996
Country: US
Run Time: 93 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
In this comedy, a writer's triumphant return to his hometown turns out to have a very long string attached. As a child, small and timid David Leary grew up in Hastings, MN, where he lived in mortal fear of the school bully, Roscoe Bigger, aka "Fang." Fang loved nothing more than making David's every waking moment a physical and emotional torment. Fortunately for David, his parents moved the family to California not long after David turned the tables on Fang; Fang stole a moon rock from a school display and David finked on him, putting Fang on the fast track to reform school. Years later, David (played as an adult by Rick Moranis) is a successful author, and he has been invited to teach English at the school he attended as a child. David is intrigued to discover that Victoria (Julianne Phillips), the girl he used to have a crush on, is also on the faculty (as the sex-ed instructor, no less) and interested in seeing him. But David's happiness is short-lived when he meets the school's shop teacher -- none other than Roscoe (Tom Arnold). Fang's stay in a juvenile home shattered his spirit, and he's been a spineless loser ever since; these days, David is the only person still afraid of him. Having someone to intimidate again does Roscoe a world of good; it restores his confidence, lifts his spirits, and even saves his marriage. But it doesn't do much for David, who can't exactly complain to the principal that Fang's picking on him again. Don Knotts appears in a supporting role as Principal Kokelar. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Curtis Armstrong - Clark; Don Knotts - Principal Kokelar; Stuart Pankin - Gerry; Tony Pierce - Ulf; Faith Prince - Betty; Harry Waters, Jr. - Alan; Bill Dow; Michael Zwiener; Susan Bain; Blake Bashoff - Ben; Tiffany Foster; C.J. Grayson; Grant Hoover; Cody McMains - Kirby; Matthew Slowik; Ingrid Torrance; Christine Willes; Justin Jon Ross
Credit
Douglasann Menchions - Art Director, Michelle Allen - Casting, Ferne Cassel - Casting, Monique Prudhomme - Costume Designer, Peter D. Marshall - First Assistant Director, Steve Miner - Director, Marshall Harvey - Editor, Gary Barber - Executive Producer, Dylan Sellers - Executive Producer, David Newman - Composer (Music Score), Ian Thomas - Production Designer, Daryn Okada - Cinematographer, Gary Foster - Producer, Lee Rich - Producer, James G. Robinson - Producer, Lesley Beale - Set Designer, Michael Hilkene - Sound/Sound Designer, Mark Steven Johnson - Screenwriter
Growing up in Hastings, Minnesota, young David Leary was constantly bullied by Roscoe "Fang" Bigger. David is ecstatic when his parents announce they're moving to Oakland. Before leaving, David squeals on Fang after he stole a moon rock being shown at their school. As the Learys leave town, Fang is arrested. Years later, David is divorced and raising his troubled son Ben as a single parent. Not having much success as a writer, David's old school offers him a job teaching creative writing. After Ben picks on a little kid named Kirby, David meets the boy's father, a mild-mannered shop teacher. Despite a friendly conversation, David learns "Ross" Bigger is his old enemy "Fang." When Ross learns who David is, he reembarks on his old routine.
