Walt Disney Pictures - 2000

On the eve of his 40th birthday, Russ Duritz (Bruce Willis), an emotionally calcified, high-powered image consultant, has his life turned upside down when he comes face to face with young Rusty (Spencer Breslin) -- an eight-year old version of himself. Rusty, not at all happy with who he turned out to be, helps Russ re-discover his human side and get his life back on track.

Screenwriter Audrey Wells, having recently worked with Jean Smart on Guinevere, knew exactly who she pictured for the role of Deirdre Lafever and wrote the part with Smart in mind. A straight-forward, sweet-talking southerner, Deirdre has a chance encounter with Russ Duritz on a flight to Los Angeles and gets some free image advice from him before starting her new position as a local newscaster.

"Deirdre is one of those eccentric people who’s really chatty, and not afraid to share her opinion about anything to anybody," laughs Smart about her character. "She is definitely not the kind of person you want to be sitting next to on an airplane, especially if you are in a bad mood!"

"Jean is so unbelievable and added so many great nuances in every line," says Director Jon Turteltaub of Smart's performance. "There was something so clever and wise about her, which made Bruce respond in the same way."

"Unfortunately, a lot of my role got cut out," Jean adds. "I had a really great scene with Bruce Willis that lasted for about nine minutes when we shot it, but it would up being more like…two…in the final edit."

As a peace offering, Turteltaub gave Smart a framed frame of the film with her name spliced from the movie's opening credits. "It's just the coolest gift I've ever gotten."

"Jean Smart almost steals the picture in a small but dramatically crucial role as a smarter-than-you'd-expect TV newswoman." -- Steve Simels, TVGuide.com

"As a chatty Southern newscaster named Deirdre, Smart turns on the charm and once more waltzes off with the movie. The chemistry between Smart and Willis is so strong that you wonder why he's hanging around with Mortimer." -- John Hartl, Film.com

"Ms. Smart gives another brief, glowing performance in a mediocre movie." -- A.O. Scott, New York Times

"Jean Smart is a vibrant standout, developing her character of Deirdre, an aspiring newsanchor with an unexpected human connection to Russ, with an added level of realism that is truly refreshing." -- Dustin Putman, rec.arts.movies.reviews

"Smart displays warmth and charisma as a television personality who helps Russ discover his inner child." -- Betty Jo Tucker, Reel Talk

"Somehow Willis maintains his poise all along the way and he's superbly supported by Judith Ivey as a psychiatrist anxious to get Russ on her couch and Jean Smart, who has a great little scene with Russ late in the film." -- James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette

"Willis has a lot more chemistry with underutilized supporting cast member Jean Smart than he does with Mortimer." -- Jeff Vice Deseret, deseretnews.com

"Jean Smart, playing a news anchor, provides a bit of spice to the occasionally bland proceedings." -- Bob Thompson, JAM! Showbiz

"Other notables are Lily Tomlin, who gives more to what seems like a throwaway role and Jean Smart as an up-and-coming anchorwoman thanks to some free advice from Russ, who gets to give probably the film’s best speech." -- efilmcritic.com

"Jean Smart nearly steals the film with two brief scenes as a woman who gets and gives advice." -- Jack Garner, Democrat and Chronicle