Product Details

• Actors: Whoopi Goldberg, Gérard Depardieu, Haley Joel Osment, Andrea Martin, Nancy Travis
• Directors: Norman Jewison
• Writers: Jeff Rothberg, Alvin Sargent, Francis X. McCarthy Jr.
• Producers: Arnon Milchan, Gayle Fraser-Baigelman, Jeff Rothberg, Michael G. Nathanson
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC
• Language: English, French
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• VHS Release Date: October 13, 1998
• Run Time: 110 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0790737663
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #291,749 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Doing for orphaned children what Ghost did for grieving lovers, Bogus is a sweet-natured fantasy that's sure to have some viewers reaching for a Kleenex. With The Sixth Sense still three years in his future, Haley Joel Osment plays 7-year-old Albert, whose happy life is disrupted when his mother (Nancy Travis) is killed in a traffic accident. Her will stipulates that Albert be placed in the custody of his mom's little-known half-sister, Harriet (Whoopi Goldberg), a New Jersey restaurant-supply owner who's anything but motherly. That's when Albert invents Bogus (Gerard Depardieu), an imaginary friend who springs to life from a coloring book drawing--clearly the product of Albert's need for love and companionship. It's easy to see why director Norman Jewison was drawn to the challenge of this delicate, charmingly cast fantasy/drama whimsically written by Alvin Sargent (Oscar®-winner for Ordinary People), and there are some lovely moments that capture a fleeting sense of wonder. But like the similar fantasy Three Wishes, the magic is lightweight and it doesn't always work. Your best bet is to just surrender to the sentiment, and don't be surprised if you shed a tear or two. --Jeff Shannon

Product Description

A young boy's bigger-than-life imaginary friend ends up being as much help to the boy's disbelieving godmother. Whoopi Goldberg and Gerard Depardieu in a spirited all-family charmer directed by Norman Jewison (Moonstruck) Year: 1996 Director: Norman Jewison Starring: Whoopi Goldberg, Gerard Depardieu, Haley Joel Osment

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nothing "Bogus" about this film except the title, March 10, 2008

By 

R. Kyle (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bogus (DVD)

How does anyone cope with a situation that's almost intolerable? In young Albert's (Osment) case, he invents an imaginary friend "Bogus" (Depardieu) when his Mom dies and he's forced to move from familiar Las Vegas to New Jersey with a Godmother, Harriet, (Goldberg) that he's never met before.

But, Bogus isn't just a figment of Albert's imagination. He's a just a part of the magic that connects us all.

"Bogus" is a film that both parents and kids can enjoy. It's warm, funny, and worthwhile. I think Osment and Depardieu have to be one of the best acting teams ever. Whoopi Goldberg is always a delight.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Movie, January 4, 2000

By 

Kimberly Kettler - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bogus [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I think Bogus is a great movie. I never saw it in the theater because I didn't like the title and I think obviously a lot of other people felt the same way I did about the title and didn't go see it for that, too. Albert (Haley Joel Osment) has to go live with his godmother, Harriet (Whoppi), that no one knew existed until Albert's mom was killed in a car accident. At first, Harriet doesn't like the idea of him coming to live with her and what seems to bother her most is that he is white and she's black. His mom's death was very sad for him and then going to live with some stranger in New York probably made everything worse. So Albert ends up metting an imaginary friend, Bogus, that no one can see but him. Even though I dont like the title, the movie makes up for it and everyone should go see it cause it is a great movie!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable movie, December 10, 2001

By 

"annaberri" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bogus [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Although not many people have seen it, Bogus is an absolutely wonderful movie. It stars Haley Joel Osment (The Sixth Sense) as Albert, a boy who is forced to live with his godmother Harriet (Whoopi Golberg) after his mom dies. Along the way, he invents an invisible friend (Gerard Depardieu, The Man In the Iron Mask) named Bogus, and the film is basically about Albert and Harriet learning to love each other with the help of Bogus. Filled with subtle humor and superior acting by Osment, I highly recommend this film to anyone with an imagination.
A great family film, completely deserves 5 stars.