Dede Tate (Jodie Foster) is an unconventional single mom to awkward and brilliant nice kid Fred. She's a waitress with her friend Gina (Debi Mazar). Jane Grierson (Dianne Wiest) wants him in her genius program assisted by Garth (David Hyde Pierce). Dede wants a normal childhood for him. When nobody shows up for his birthday, Dede reluctantly allows Fred to go with Jane where Damon is the alpha student. Dede and Jane struggle to be Fred's caregiver. Jane takes him to college where he befriends Eddie (Harry Connick Jr.) after getting hit with a globe.
It's a fine family drama most notable for being Jodie Foster's directorial debut in a full length movie. The kid has the gawky nerd look. Foster and Wiest are terrific. I wish they had more scenes together. Their relationships with the kid are the most interesting. In general, I would like the characters have more interactions together. I would like characters like Damon to stay in the picture. I wish there was a destination for the kid to aim for. It's an interesting coming-of-age movie with some underdeveloped relationships.
It's a fine family drama most notable for being Jodie Foster's directorial debut in a full length movie. The kid has the gawky nerd look. Foster and Wiest are terrific. I wish they had more scenes together. Their relationships with the kid are the most interesting. In general, I would like the characters have more interactions together. I would like characters like Damon to stay in the picture. I wish there was a destination for the kid to aim for. It's an interesting coming-of-age movie with some underdeveloped relationships.