Bubble Boy

Director: Blair Hayes (ii)
Actors: Jake Gyllenhaal, Swoosie Kurtz, Marley Shelton, Danny Trejo, John Carroll Lynch
Studio: Walt Disney Video
Category: DVD

List Price: $14.99
Buy Used: $5.74
You Save: $9.25 (62%)


New (43) Used (19) from $5.74

Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars 75 reviews
Sales Rank: 20670

Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd-video, Widescreen, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 84 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6

MPN: DISD24020D
ISBN: 0788833022
UPC: 786936165401
EAN: 9780788833021
ASIN: B00005U8QN

Theatrical Release Date: August 24, 2001
Release Date: January 15, 2002
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Sealed item. Like NEW. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Quick International Airmail!
Bubble Boy

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Customer Reviews

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5 out of 5 stars Great comedy    October 15, 2008
Bob Waskiewicz (Wintersville, Ohio United States)
I waited years to see "Bubble boy"and wish I didn't.Gyllenhaal and Kurtz are wonderfull.The movie has a nice ending,and what a fantastic adventure the bubble boy takes us across the country trying to stop the wedding of the love of his life.


5 out of 5 stars Roundness wins!    September 3, 2008
FizzWiz (Pittsburgh, PA)
The concept of an innocent boy in a bubble for his entire life to be free of germs is ingenious. The Travolta version is not the same and not symbolic in the way that this one is. Gyllenhaal had a fun role, and his "daringness" and luckiness to be able to accept roles like this early on have helped boost his name and career to his current well respected place in the biz.

The bubble itself was hard to make as it had to be customized by special companies who make masks and such, and they had never even encountered such a request before. The bubble was changed about 4-5 times at least throughout the movie. The bubble started off as about 65 pounds and was lowered to around 30 pounds after all the modifications. Gyllenhaal started acting with the 65 pounds on his back initially. He, as the Bubble Boy, Jimmy, wore a back pack which would help stimulate the size of the bubble. The bubble was deflated a bit to help him squeeze through small space.

Gyllenhaal is the star of the movie in acting and because he is the main character. His pure innocence, expressions, tone of voice like a child, and movement in the bubble is natural and on cue.

Jimmy's mom plays a seemingly flawless overly uptight Catholic mother, and Jimmy's dad is good as an overly laid back father. Their values mesh well to make their bubble boy's personality.

The humor is witty, but not over-the-top. Some implicit and more explicit sexual references around the bubble play a huge role. The idea of freaks versus normal people, and roundness symbolizing good and square shaped items representing not so good things play roles throughout the movie such as a round bubble and round room. I cannot think of comparisons, but this was listed as a main theme in one of the extras.

The timing of how Jimmy gets to Niagara Falls from Las Vegas does not seem to match up. With all the obstructions Jimmy encounters, there is probably no way he'd make it in 3 days, but he does end up flying later on, so that would cut on time a lot. Never the less, an underrated indie movie by a now well known actor.


4 out of 5 stars A silly but funny movie    January 1, 2008
Jim Goodrich (San Diego, CA United States)
An outrageously silly movie, yet very funny and at times touching. It's a very unconventional and crazy cast of characters, and filled with adventure as a guy born without immunities sets out across the country in a plastic bubble to be with the girl he loves.


5 out of 5 stars Perfectly paced farce!    February 8, 2007
Belgianboy (Chicago, IL United States)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful

This was just a great time, a farce with perfect timing and pitch--crazy characters all around doing expected and sometimes unexpected things. Brought all the parties together nicely at the end, and used well the opportunity to poke fun at just about everybody. Jakey's goofy grin, bedroom eyes and overall innocence... what a killer combo! The "$500!" back-and-forth sequences had me on the floor, and I don't know how they did that with a straight face.


5 out of 5 stars Great Movie    January 12, 2007
Douglas R. Briney (Surprise, Az USA)
"Five Hundred Dollars!" This movie is a classic. I can sum it up in one word, "Beetlejuice". Not the movie, the actor who gained fame (?) on Howard Stern. He cracks me up. The cast as a whole takes the premise of the movie seriously and that leads to some over the top performances, especially the mother as played by Swoosie Kurtz. Sit Down, Press Play, and Start Laughing.