Rent-A-Kid (1995)

An enterprising salesman gets the idea to rent orphans to help them find new homes.
Starring: Matt McCoy, Sherry Miller, Leslie Nielsen, Christopher Lloyd

Link to IMDB

I made Nathaniel buy this on VHS for $2 because it looked ridiculous. I felt obligated (and curious) to have a viewing for myself.

Harry and Trigger Trixels

Cliff, the manager of Midvalley Orphanage, is heading out of town for the Thanksgiving week, and asks his father to run the place while he's away. His father is Harry Haber, an enthusiastic salesmen always looking for new business ideas and customers in need of his deal making talents. After looking at the orphanage's files, Harry suggests the zany idea of renting the orphans to inquiring adults that are unsure if a child is right for them. Harry even has three siblings in mind, Molly, Kyle and Brandon. Cliff thinks it's a ridiculous idea and makes his father promise that he won't rent any kids while he's gone for ten days.

When Harry meets a young married couple (Russ and Valerie) that are unsure about starting a family, he just can't resist suggesting his Rent-a-Kid business. The idea sounds crazy but the couple are eager to plan their future and learn about parenting, so they agree to rent the trio for the Thanksgiving holiday.


The kids arrive at Russ and Valerie's penthouse, hoping that if they behave they might get adopted for real. Russ and Valerie are nervous and uncomfortable at first, but soon see that the kids are pretty chill and they begin to bond. Brandon is a bit more aloof and instead makes friends with the wise doorman, Laurence. Despite some general chaos around the house, things are going rather smoothly for awhile.

Val and Russ

The kids

As Thanksgiving approaches, Russ and Val begin to make mistakes as they struggle to balance the children and their personal life, leaving everyone feeling like they've failed in one way or another. Will they find a way to become a family, or will the rental end with sad goodbyes?

There's nothing wrong with the movie itself, in fact it's quite a heartwarming story with a sprinkling of comedy that kids and adults can both enjoy... But it's just not the type of thing that explodes my ham. Leslie Nielsen and Christopher Lloyd give solid supporting performances, and the main cast are all likable and believable.
I might have even shed a tear at the end, but let's blame that on the beer.

Be sure not to miss:
- The boom mic is all over the place! Although, in this case it is likely due to the incorrect aspect ratio and not inept filmmakers.
- Those wonderful molten steel quotes.
- Amanda Tapping cameo.

Internet review:
"Brilliant movie? Not. Worth to see? Of course." - csbeapt

Should I watch it?
If it comes on TV when you can't sleep, or as a background movie for the holidays.

Where can I find it?
Here on YouTube

Rent-a-Kid gets...