For everyone who ever felt like an outsider when they were young, there is "The Ugly Kid."

It is a mistake on the part of the film company here to promote this movie as a "children's film." Children don't really want to see this. They are living it! No, this movie is for all of us grown-up ugly kids, dorks, nerds, dweebs and outsiders. This is our film.

The film focuses on Lloyd, a young pubescent who listens to his peers when they tell him he looks like a cricket. His self-esteem is at ground zero and nothing seems to help. His mother is loving and caring but her platitudes, so heartfelt and true, of course, don't sink in on Lloyd. He listens to his classmates more than his mom. Worse yet is Lloyd's little brother, a real cutie who loves the "hunnies" and gets numerous phone calls from his "girlfriends." Lloyd becomes so focused on girls himself that he almost ruins his friendship with the cute but dorky Troy. The story of their friendship, at the root of this film, is honest, real and beautiful. Lloyd, of course, finally learns the value of his friend and watching their relationship evolve is decidedly one of the most wonderful things about this film. When Lloyd begins to feel sorry for himself and brushes off Troy rudely, it reminded me of my friendships as a young boy, friendships so strong that they could take hurt feelings and misplaced anger and rude behavior and survive, friendships that were strong.

This film is amusing through and through and this is thanks to a script that is genuine and humorous. All of this is brought forth by actors who are pitch perfect and a director who knows how to use them. Chief among the films assets is Todd Bosley who turns in a remarkable performance as the titular ugly kid. Bosley, with his bright red moptop, his bug eyes accented by round glasses and his scrawny physic, uses his entire body and intellect to make Lloyd come to life. It's a distinguished performance from a young actor. Bosley is what makes "The Ugly Kid" work most often. Brendan Ryan Barrett is quite nice as his friend Troy. Barrett often isn't given much to work with but still makes his part come to life. The chemistry he shares with Bosley is really nice. They bond before our eyes. Also wonderful is Mary Mara as Lloyd's mom. Given a chance to provide a multi-dimensional and caring single mom, Mara, thanks to the script, never has to resort to the standard "movie mom" mode. She actually says and does exactly the right and true thing here, giving the film a real sense of heart and of genuineness.

The film also boasts two "name" actors to give the film some marquee "power," as it were. Tom Arnold is pretty much wasted here. He disappears mid-film for seemingly no reason. Maybe he got a better paying gig? Someone named "Arnold" gets a producer's credit, so maybe this is all a nepotism thing to help get the film made. Who knows? Anyway Taylor Negron, who has made several films and television shows amusing with his offbeat work, finds several ways to make us laugh here as well. He is hilarious as Mr. Weid, one of Lloyd's teachers. Negron works his ass off to make us giggle and succeeds at almost every turn.

The only problem with "The Ugly Kid" is it's rather lackluster and tired climax and ending which resorts to food fights, unrealistic camera tricks posing as magic tricks, and boring and silly platitudes. The ending does a real disservice to the rest of the film. Still, "The Ugly Kid" is a wonderful and pleasing film. A real gem for those lucky enough to see it.

Note:

Also with Tony Longo and Sammy Elliot.

Directed by El Paso native Hector Barron.

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