Me and the Kid is a 1993 American crime comedy-drama film directed and produced by Dan Curtis. It stars Danny Aiello, Alex Zuckerman, Joe Pantoliano, Cathy Moriarty, and David Dukes. It is based on the 1970 novel Taking Gary Feldman by Stanley Cohen. It was released by Orion Pictures on October 22, 1993, and was Curtis' last theatrical film before his death in 2006.
Contents
Plot
A couple of ex-cons, Harry and Roy, break into a home expecting to find $250,000 in a safe, but come away empty-handed. They do, however, take 8-year-old Gary with them, hoping that the boy's father will pay a ransom.
Harry forms a bond with Gary, who has multiple allergies, is home-schooled and has rarely been out in the world. Roy resents the kid-glove treatment of the boy and becomes at odds with his partner over what to do with him. In the end, things between Roy and Harry get violent, but Gary saves Harry's life. While Gary enjoys life with Harry much more than his home life, things get too dangerous and Harry is forced to leave him behind. However, Gary aids Harry in escaping from the authorities. Sometime later, Harry visits Gary at home and the two leave together once more, heading for Mexico to start a new life.
Production
Producer Jack Farren obtained the film rights to Stanley Cohen's novel in 1970, with Curtis attached to direct as his feature film debut. However, financial issues meant the film entered development hell. Curtis' ultimately self-financed the film through his own production company.
The film was shot in New York City and California, in October 1992.
Reception
The film received negative reviews and was a box office bomb. Emanuel Levy of Variety wrote, “Danny Aiello’s considerable talents are wasted…” Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times wrote, “Dan Curtis and writer Richard Tannenbaum fail to establish a satisfying premise.”