Back in the Day with John and Jay

Episode 135: North (1994) // Is it as bad as people say?

John and Jay Episode 135

The short answer is no.

We will break down the unusual plot where young North (Elijah Wood) decides to "divorce" his parents and embarks on a globe-trotting adventure to find new ones. We’ll discuss the film’s blend of fantasy, humor, and life lessons, all wrapped up in a series of zany vignettes featuring an all-star cast, including Bruce Willis, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Dan Aykroyd, and many more.

Get ready for laughs as we recount North’s encounters with bizarre potential parents, from Hawaiian kings and Texan oil barons to Amish farmers and over-the-top showbiz families. We’ll dive into the film’s satirical take on cultural stereotypes, its surprising cameos, and the sometimes controversial reception it received upon release.

Join us as we share behind-the-scenes stories, including how the film came to be under the direction of Rob Reiner, the critical backlash it faced, and why it remains a curious piece of 90s cinema. We’ll also debate whether North is a misunderstood gem or a product of its time, providing plenty of laughs and nostalgia along the way.

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'Beavis and Butt-head' Cover art created by Joe Crawford