Stuart Little

Stuart Little has quietly become one of the more dependable comedies currently available in Australia on Foxtel Now and Stan, and in the US on Netflix. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. With 4,687 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. Watch it for Michael J. Fox — stay for everyone else around them. Start it on Foxtel Now whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Stuart Little is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. The jokes in Stuart Little land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. When the Littles adopt Stuart, the mouse, George is initially unwelcoming to his new brother, and the family cat, Snowbell, is even less enthusiastic. Stuart resolves to face these difficulties with as much pluck and courage as he can muster. Michael J. Fox and Geena Davis lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1999. The real test of any comedy is whether it is still funny once you know all the jokes, and Stuart Little holds up on rewatch in a way that separates it from one-off curiosities. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

If you need a comedy that actually makes you laugh, Stuart Little is a strong candidate. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Michael J. Fox is funny in a way that holds up on rewatch. Put it on when you need something guaranteed to land.