Bogus MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +3 Content: -1/2

BOGUS is a delightful story about a young boy who uses his imagination to cope with a traumatic loss. When his mother is killed in an auto accident, seven-year-old Albert Franklin (Haley Joel Osment) goes to live with his godmother, Harriet (Whoopi Goldberg), in New Jersey. Albert is devastated by these developments and, to deal with his misfortunes, he conjures up an imaginary friend, a caring adult Frenchman named Bogus (Gerard Depardieu). Harriet, an unmarried businesswoman, tries to be a mother to Albert, but Bogus is the youngster's main comfort. Bogus goes with him to school, holds him in his arms when he's sad and even follows him to Atlantic City when he runs away. All the while, Harriet is trying to build up her business and still be a friend to Albert, but her lack of experience as a mother and her inept efforts make for some laughs. Thanks to Albert's influence, however, even Harriet eventually begins to think that Bogus is real. The story also features some very colorful imaginary events which originate in Albert's mind. Overall, BOGUS is a clever, unique story which should appeal to a broad range of ages in the family.

Before Albert's mother is killed, she and Albert share a close, loving relationship. She's a magician's assistant, and her show business friends in Las Vegas all love Albert as well. Although Harriet is far too busy to care for Albert, she feels a deep obligation to do so and turns out to be a very responsible, caring godmother. When she begins to see and talk with Bogus in her own imagination, Bogus teaches Harriet how to love and trust others and to dance things which had been missing in her life. This gentle, touching story is almost free of undesirable elements, but in two instances of severe frustration, Harriet blurts out some GD profanities. Several mild crude words are also included in the dialogue. Near nudity is present in a few scenes where showgirls in Las Vegas wear very low cut costumes. Happily, the story is free of any sexual content, nudity or suggestive language. Undoubtedly, the profanity and near nudity were included to avoid the dreaded G rating, but they detract from the film's acceptability.

Preview Reviewer: John Evans
Distributor: Warner Brothers, 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91522