Synopsis
Returning from a hunting trip in the forest, the Henderson family's car hits an animal in the road. At first they fear it was a man, but when they examine the "body" they find it's a "bigfoot". They think it's dead so they decide to take it home (there could be some money in this). As you guessed, it isn't dead. Far from being the ferocious monster they fear "Harry" to be, he's a friendly giant.
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Cast
- John LithgowGeorge Henderson
- Melinda DillonNancy Henderson
- Margaret LangrickSarah Henderson
- Joshua RudoyErnie Henderson
- Kevin Peter HallHarry
- David SuchetJacques Lafleur
- Lainie KazanIrene Moffitt
- Don AmecheDr. Wallace Wrightwood
- M. Emmet WalshGeorge Henderson Sr.
- Laura Kenny'Mouse' Woman
Recommendations
- 75
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
What do you get when you cross King Kong with E.T.? Harry And The Hendersons is what, and it's a delightful enough offspring - often funny, occasionally charming and always mighty eager to please. Too eager at times, but that's a forgivable flaw in an otherwise engaging hybrid. [5 June 1987] - 63
Miami Herald
It has several amiable performances, including Lithgow's usual nice guy, Lainie Kazan's savagely nosy neighbor, Margaret Langrick's petulant teen and Don Ameche as a bullion- hearted Bigfoot expert. And like Harry, in its own ham-handed, goofy way the film means so well. What the heck. [5 June 1987, p.D1] - 60
Tampa Bay Times
This is a fun picture, even if it's overly sentimental and has the feeling of an extended Amazing Stories segment. Director Dear is a master Spielbergian craftsman. Now, all he has to do is demonstrate some originality to establish himself as a quality film maker. [5 June 1987, p.1D] - 50
Slant Magazine
Unabashedly lefty sentiment colors the whole film. - 50
Chicago Tribune
It isn't hard to take, but Harry and the Hendersons seems a bit familiar. - 50
Los Angeles Times
It's overwhelming and, in a curious way, it's charming, but at the center, even though you see it in the right place, you detect not a heart, or a mind, but something like a hot, roasted marshmallow beating and burbling within a thickened, ursine breast. - 50
The Hollywood Reporter
Harry and the Hendersons is a disappointment. - 40
Washington Post
It's about learning to be human and, on that level, it's utter schlock -- cloying, manipulative and overcute. You could see it on another level, though -- as a comedy about an obnoxious houseguest -- and feel a little kinder toward it.
