I used to wonder what happened to Barrett Oliver. He used to be one of those child actors who could seemingly run circles around all others. Kind of like what Elijah Wood was to the 90’s, Barrett was to the 80’s. Over a fairly short span, Barrett starred in numerous films that were favorites of mine, like “The Neverending Story”, “Cocoon” (I & II), and most notably Tim Burton’s “Frankenweenie.” He also had guest appearances in several top-rated TV shows. The most memorable of those was that of a terminally ill boy in “Highway to Heaven”, and as a frightened young man having to take care of his ailing “Gramma” in a Stephen King penned episode of the 1985 version of “The Twilight Zone” series. Then, suddenly… he vanished. Of all of the films Oliver did, my absolute favorite was the little seen, “D.A.R.Y.L.”

It originally came out in 1985 and I can still remember vividly going to the theatre to see it. Of course, I loved the movie and have wanted a really good version of it on DVD ever since DVD’s became popular. Oliver starred as Daryl, a young man who has no memory of his past. He is placed with a foster family (Michael McKean, Mary Beth Hurt), and soon begins to exhibit some very interesting abilities. He is super smart, and perhaps even a little stronger than a little boy should be. Though the worry a little about where his abilities come from, the couple grows to love him as their own, as he does in return.

(Spoiler Alert)

Their ideal family life is threatened by the appearance of an older couple claiming to be his real parents. Inevitably they take him away, much to the disappointment of both Daryl and his adopted family. But things are not always what they seem. The real parents aren’t his real parents at all, well… not in the biological sense anyway. Daryl is actually D.A.R.Y.L. ((Data Analyzing Robot Youth Lifeform), the product of a military experiment to create a super soldier. The ‘parents’ are actually the scientists who created him, but upon his return are faced with the possibility of having to shut him down. The military personnel funding the project are threatened by the fact that Daryl can feel, and when it becomes obvious that he will never become their ‘super soldier’, order him to be destroyed so the experiment can be started over. Anguishing over the thought of ‘killing’ Daryl, one of the scientists plans a daring escape, and the chase in on.

(End of Spoiler)

“D.A.R.Y.L.” is a wonderful little movie, tat ends up going in directions that you might not expect at first. The technology at work is suspect to be sure, but the science fiction aspect of the film is secondary to the relationships between the characters. Oliver is terrific as Daryl, and plays the role with a depth you normally wouldn’t find in an actor so young. This is enhanced by the relationship he builds with his ‘foster parents’, and McKean and Hurt are more than up to the task to reciprocate.

McKean, is another one of those actors that is sorely underappreciated for his talent. I first saw him as Lenny on the old ‘Laverne & Shirley” show, and since that time he has proven himself time and time again to be a very multi-faceted character actor. Nearly unrecognizable as David St. Hubbins in “This is Spinal Tap” (which he made just the year before), he was easily able to make the transition to a fantastic father figure in “D.A.R.Y.L.” I’ve never seen him play a role he couldn’t do convincingly.

I couldn’t believe that Paramount was finally releasing “D.A.R.Y.L.” on DVD, and I couldn’t get my hand on it fast enough. It offers up a great picture and sound, far superior to the VHS release a few years back, but I won’t say I’m not just a touch disappointed. No extra features are to be found anywhere on this disc. No interviews, no behind the scenes featurettes, nothing. I would have given anything for a commentary track from McKean (and maybe even Oliver).

Ah well. I guess I can’t complain too much. Some movies need the extra features to be worth owning, but “D.A.R.Y.L.” isn’t one of them. The movie is excellent and I’m glad to at least finally have a copy of it on my collection.

Directed by: Simon Wincer
Starring: Barrett Oliver, Mary Beth Hurt, Michael McKean, Kathryn Walker, Colleen Camp, Josef Sommer
Extras: None
Specifications: Widescreen, Dolby Surround
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: 10/19/2004
Region 1
MPAA Rating: PG
Website

We'll give D.A.R.Y.L. an A-.