The film Bogus is about an imaginary person named Bogus. He appears to children and adults who are in need of a little cheering up. I guess you could almost describe Bogus as the Mary Poppins of the 90s. Bogus is played by Gerard Depardieu, and while it's always delightful to see him on the screen, the film seems a waste of his great talent. Depardieu has such wonderful films to his credit as Jean de Florette, Germinal and Cyrano de Bergerac where his overwhelming talent - like his considerable bulk - fills the screen with ease. But Depardieu is not limited to purely dramatic roles. His remarkable talent is as finely tuned to comedy as tragedy, as can be seen in any number of French farces. Les Comperes is truly hysterical, and Too Beautiful for You works admirably as well.

        So why is it that such a brilliant talent as Depardieu's has only been able to manage mediocrity in his American films. Greencard with Andy McDowell was sweet at best. It is certainly well worth watching, but doesn't exactly rock the world. My Father, the Hero on the other hand was so wincingly bad I was furious that such a ridiculous piece of celluloid should be linked to my favourite French actor.

        Fortunately Bogus is more like Greencard than My Father the Hero. Depardieu again plays the role of a gentle giant. And, as in Greencard the best moment of the film is when Depardieu cuts loose and allows his command of physical comedy to burst from the screen. In Greencard, we saw Depardieu play piano like it has never been played before. I still smile when I recall that scene, and to this day, I'm uncertain whether or not he really could play the instrument.

        In Bogus, a scene displaying a similar zest for life occurs between Depardieu and Whoopi Goldberg when they dance together in the style of Fred Astair and Ginger Rodgers. Whoopi wears a flowing white dress that seems to float around her like a cloud and Depardieu sings and dances in a very amusing parody of romance, ballroom dancing and himself.

        The story of Bogus is the bittersweet tale of a little boy whose life changes drastically when his mother is killed. He has to go and live with his mother's foster sister, played by Whoopi Goldberg. Since he has never even heard of this foster sister, he's not too keen to be shipped off to the other side of the country and wallows in some well deserved self-pity when suddenly, Bogus appears to brighten his life.

        Whoopi Goldberg provides a solid performance as the drab New Jersey stepmother. Goldberg, like Depardieu, has a great talent for facial expressions and physical humor. She works hard to bring her role to life.

        So all the ingredients are in place in this movie. Yet even with two superb actors and a moving story, this movie doesn't quite manage brilliance. The artwork is very fine, and if an Oscar is ever given to the opening credits then Bogus would win hands down.

        I believe that the problem with the film lies in the ending. The story is nicely set up, however the writers don't seem to know how to develop the story to a logical conclusion. For example, much is made of Whoopi Goldberg's continual persecution by parking police, yet it comes to nothing. Even worse is the resolution between the central characters. The writers can't seem to find a way to ease the tension between child and stepmother with any logicality, so they send in a ghost to straighten things out. In classical drama this device is called Deus ex machina or God in the machine. The use of the device highlighted a problematic plot in Ancient Greece, and it does in Bogus as well.

        In short, Bogus is beaut, but not brilliant.

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