Bogus

"BOGUS" (Gerard Depardieu) is the charming French imaginary friend who appears to Albert (Haley Joel Osment) after he loses his mother, Lorraine (Nancy Travis), in a car accident. With no father, and friends who all work in a Las Vegas magic show, he's sent to his New Jersey godmother, Harriet (Whoopi Goldberg), Lorraine's childhood foster sister. It soon becomes clear that Harriet hasn't recovered from the losses and damage of her own difficult childhood, which she shared with Lorraine in a foster home. She has heart but it's buried in layers of protective armor, making it difficult for Albert to get the affection and nurturing he needs as he mourns his loss. To cope, Albert, an amateur magician, either conjures -- or is sent -- the make-believe Bogus, a towering, smiling new best pal who dresses like a magician himself in oversized great coat, floppy pants, and brocade vest. Bogus provides the hugs and the shoulder to cry on the mourning boy needs. He's a good influence, advising Albert it's a bad idea to run away, but Albert runs anyway. The movie suggests that not until Harriet allows herself to see the magical Bogus herself and listen to his healing message that she has the breakthrough necessary to be the caring mother and friend Albert needs.