Bless the Child ** (2000, Kim Basinger, Jimmy Smits, Rufus Sewell) – Classic Movie Review 6884

Kim Basinger stars in some diabolical nonsense as the auntie of Cody, an autistic child with mysterious powers, who is abducted by a sinister cult of Satanists who believe that she holds the key to defeating the ultimate evil.

After a promising start, director Chuck Russell’s 2000 supernatural thriller just turns silly, then plain risible, with visions of demons in an alley-way and the abductor turning into a monster. It is just about saved by its strong concept, a big budget, flashy designs and fine special effects – plus Basinger’s appeal.

Holliston Coleman as Cody in Bless the Child,

Also in the cast are Jimmy Smits, Holliston Coleman as Cody, Rufus Sewell, Angela Bettis, Christina Ricci, Michael Gaston, Lumi Cavazos, Dimitra Arliss, Eugene Lipinski, Anne Betancourt and Ian Holm.

Thomas Rickman’s screenplay is based on the novel by Cathy Cash Spellman.

It was fairly costly at $65,000,000, and fairly unsuccessful with a $29,374,178 US gross.

It is rated R for violence, drug content and brief strong language.

Chuck [Charles] Russell is the director of A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, The Blob, The Mask, Eraser and The Scorpion King.

Bless the Child is directed by Chuck Russell, runs 107 minutes, is produced by  Paramount Pictures, Icon Entertainment International, Munich Film Partners & Company (MFP) and BTC Productions, is released by Paramount, is written by Thomas Rickman, is shot by Peter Menzies Jr, is produced by Mace Neufeld, is scored by Christopher Young, and is designed by Carol Spier.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 6884

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