The Malta Independent 5 May 2025, Monday
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Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Monday, 24 November 2014, 15:23 Last update: about 11 years ago

 

Disney's "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" follows the exploits of 11-year-old Alexander as he experiences the most terrible and horrible day of his young life-a day that begins with gum stuck in his hair, followed by one calamity after another. But when Alexander tells his upbeat family about the misadventures of his disastrous day, he finds little sympathy and begins to wonder if bad things only happen to him. He soon learns that he's not alone when his mom, dad, brother and sister all find themselves living through their own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Anyone who says there is no such thing as a bad day just hasn't had one.

"I was inspired by the films John Hughes made that the whole family can enjoy together," says director Miguel Arteta ("The Good Girl," "Cedar Rapids," "Youth in Revolt"). "We wanted to show a family having a truly awful impossible day. All things are going wrong and yet they come together and have each other's backs. The ability to roll with it and laugh sees them through. 

"Of course, the day they have is an extreme one," Arteta continues, "but the idea of a family supporting each other is really great-especially when it is not in each of their personal interests to do so. The power of family is there for you when you least expect it."

"Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" is based on the 1972 children's classic book by Judith Viorst. Rob Lieber penned the story and screenplay for the film, which is a 21 Laps Entertainment/Jim Henson Company production.

Steve Carell ("The Way, Way Back," "Little Miss Sunshine," the upcoming "Foxcatcher") and Jennifer Garner ("Dallas Buyers Club," "The Odd Life of Timothy Green," "Juno") star as Alexander's upbeat parents. The veteran performers are joined in the film by a trio of young talent that includes 17-year-old Dylan Minnette (TV's "Lost," "Prisoners") as Alexander's older brother, Anthony; 16-year-old Kerris Dorsey (TV's "Ray Donovan," "Moneyball") as sister Emily; and 13-year-old Australian native Ed Oxenbould (Oz TV's "Puberty Blues"), who makes his big-screen feature debut as the film's title character, Alexander. Twins Zoey and Elise Vargas ("The Neighbors," "True Blood") portray baby brother Trevor. 

Emmy® winner and Golden Globe® nominee Megan Mullally ("Will & Grace") also joins the cast, along with actress/comedian Jennifer Coolidge ("American Pie," "Legally Blonde," TV's "2 Broke Girls") and actress/singer/author Bella Thorne ("Shake It Up!").

 

Classification PG

 

Films are released by KRS Releasing Ltd

 

 

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