A long popular child television star is trying to make a comeback. Like many before him that have tried and failed, the best he can hope for is a positive "E! True Hollywood Story." The star is Dickie Roberts, cute kid from the past with a quirky catch phrase. Now an adult, he spends his time parking cars and playing poker with others of his ilk. Greg Brady, Danny Partridge, Webster, Screech. They all are in the same boat. But Dickie is certain he can turn it around. Like Sinatra nailing the part of Maggio in "From Here to Eternity," Dickie is convinced that a part in a new Rob Reiner film will return him to the top. A meeting with Reiner convinces him that the only way he's going to make it is if he learns what it's like to be part of a family. Abandoned by his mother after his show was canceled, Dickie really has no family. Rumored to be the son of David Soul (he isn't) he decides to pay a normal family $20,000 to live with them for a month. And here the fun begins.

David Spade has come a long way since his earlier films. Teamed up with Chris Farley, Spade was always the smarmy smart aleck, one wiseguy quip following another. As Dickie Roberts, Spade shows a side of him never seen before. And that side is emotion. Dickie doesn't want to be famous for the money or the cars. He's convinced that if he's back on top his mother will return to him and love him again. But he soon realizes that love is something you earn, not with fame, but with love in return. The best thing about the film is the spot on portrayal of the way former child stars have ended up in the past. During the weekly card games, they fight over who had limos and who didn't. And Barry Williams (Greg on "The Brady Bunch") keeps raising the pot with props from the television show (Marcia's braces, the Tiki figure he wore in Hawaii). As he antes up with these items, he always adds "it's sure to get you $3 on Ebay!" And an all-star recording session, featuring an all former child star choir, is a hoot to listen to. Railing against the way they are now treated, the song comes off as a small screen "We Are The World" for the wayward young actor.

A great comedy is a rare thing these days. A great comedy with heart is even rarer. "Dickie Roberts" is definitely the latter. On a scale of zero to four stars I give it