Carpool(1996 film)

For the 1983 film, seeCarpool (1983 film).

Carpool
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Arthur Hiller
Written by	Don Rhymer
Produced by	Arnon Milchan Michael G. Nathanson
Starring	Tom Arnold David Paymer Rhea Perlman Rachael Leigh Cook Rod Steiger
Cinematography	David M. Walsh
Edited by	M. James Langlois William H. Reynolds
Music by	John Debney
Production company	Regency Enterprises
Distributed by	Warner Bros.
Release date	August 23, 1996(1996-08-23)
Running time	89 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$17 million
Box office	$3.3 million

Carpoolis a 1996 Americancomedy filmdirected byArthur Hiller,written byDon Rhymer,starringTom ArnoldandDavid Paymer.The film was theatrically released withSuperior Duckas the preceding cartoon.

Carpoolis currently owned by theWalt Disney Studiosthrough20th Century Studios,which obtained the copyrights to 52 films fromRegency Enterpriseson June 22, 2021.

Plot

Workaholic Daniel Miller is forced to drive his sons Bucky and Andrew to school when his wife Diane falls ill with a stomach bug. Daniel is in the middle of a huge advertising campaign for Hammerman's, a large chain of gourmet markets, and initially refuses the drive until Diane guilts him. Along with his sons, two local girls; Kayla and her younger sister Chelsea, as well as local weirdo Travis, join Daniel's reluctant carpool. Meanwhile, Franklin Laszlo, owner of the failing Laszlo Brothers Carnival, reluctantly decides to commit armed robbery in order to get the money to keep his business open. As Franklin leaves to attempt the robbery, he enters a local Hammerman's where Daniel is purchasing baked goods for the children. A duo of gunmen, Neil and Jerry, also plan to rob the market by coincidence. When the gunmen hold it up, a standoff ensues between them, Franklin, an old woman, and off-duty local detective Lt. Erdman. Through a series of misunderstandings, Franklin ends up taking Daniel as his hostage and escaping with the money the gunmen had stolen from the market's safe. Heading to the van, Franklin ends up kidnapping Daniel and the children. The group eventually bonds with one another through a series of misadventures; stopping at a hair salon to use the restroom, evading the police with disguises, and eventually being chased by Martha, an obsesssive meter maid. Franklin reveals to the group that the reason behind his robbery and kidnapping was that he desperately needed the money so he could keep his carnival open and give his son Keith, who lives with his ex-wife, a present for his 12th birthday.

Eventually, Franklin takes the group to his carnival, where the children enjoy the rides. Neil and Jerry soon arrive, having tracked Franklin through his wallet, which he dropped in Hammerman's, and demand the grocery money. A fight ensues, with the controls to the carnival'sFerris wheelbeing damaged. Daniel uses his presentation materials to jam the wheel's mechanism and climbs up to rescue Andrew. Franklin ties up the gunmen, locks them in theZipper,and gets his wallet back. Daniel realizes that he's far too late to attend his pitch meeting, but Franklin manages to convince him otherwise. Daniel arrives at the office hours late and greatly unprepared, but he uses his experience to successful convince Mr. Hammerman that children don't like his chain, and that a revamp to something more kid-friendly would help. Franklin likes the idea as Daniel gains the backbone to tell his Boss that he quits. Eventually, Erdman and the police arrive to arrest Franklin, but they soon let him go when Daniel reveals why he tried to rob the Hammerman's and doesn't want to press charges. Sometime later, Franklin and Daniel have become co-owners of the carnival, with Mr. Hammerman supplying the food. Everything seems to be alright at the end, until Franklin realizes that he missed a lunch date with his mother, who is seen destroying a localSizzlerover the closing credits.

Cast

• Tom Arnoldas Franklin Laszlo
• David Paymeras Daniel Miller
• Rhea Perlmanas Martha
• Kim Coatesas Lt. Erdman
• Obba Babatundéas Jeffery
• Rachael Leigh Cookas Kayla
• Rod Steigeras Mr. Hammerman
• Micah Gardener as Bucky Miller, Daniel's first son and Kayla's love interest
• Jordan Blake Warkol as Travis
• Mikey Kovar as Andrew Miller, Daniel's second son
• Colleen Rennisonas Chelsea, Kayla's younger sister
• Ian Traceyas Neil
• John Tench as Jerry
• Stellina Rusich as Diane Miller, Daniel's wife
• David Kayeas Scott Lewis
• Edie McClurg,Kathleen Freeman,andMiriam Flynnas Voice of Franklin's Mom

Production

The film was directed byArthur Hiller.Hiller was also the president of theAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciencesat that time. The script was written byDon Rhymer.

Reception

Box office

The film opened theatrically on August 23, 1996 in 1,487 venues nationwide and earned $1,628,482 in its first weekend, ranking thirteenth in the domestic box office.At the end of its run, it had grossed $3,325,651.Based on an estimated $17 million budget,it was abox office bomb.

Critical response

The film was not screened in advance for critics and received minimal promotion.OnRotten Tomatoes,it has a score of 13% based on 23 reviews, with an average rating of 2.6/10.OnMetacriticthe film has a score of 15 out of 100 based on reviews from 10 critics, indicating "overwhelming dislike".Audiences surveyed byCinemaScoregave the film a grade of B− on scale of A to F.

Ty Burr forEntertainment Weeklycalls the film "Hard to hate, but just about impossible to like" and gives it grade D+.Varietycalled it: "Low-tech, high-volume slapstick," Carpool "is a ramshackle if amiable chase comedy that should have some appeal for end-of-summer family outings."Janet Maslin, ofThe New York Times,pointed out that the supporting characters, especially Rhea Perlman, end up standing out with more pleasant moments when compared to the performance of Tom Arnold.Rita Kempley ofThe Washington Post,emphasizes that in contrast to the character of Daniel who discovers that life should be fun, the film is not the same for the viewer.

Accolades

Arnold tied withPauly Shorefor a1996 Razzie Awardin part for his role in the film as well as forBig BullyandThe Stupids.He also won Worst Actor for the same movies at the 1996Stinkers Bad Movie Awards;said movies were also dishonourable mentions for Worst Picture.

External links

• CarpoolatBox Office Mojo
• CarpoolatIMDb
• CarpoolatRotten Tomatoes
• CarpoolatMetacritic