Scott LeBrun "The Beniker Gang" is definitely agreeable family fare, a feature film adaptation of the novel "Dear Lola" by Judie Angell. Andrew McCarthy stars as Arthur Beniker, an 18 year old at an orphanage who is very close to some of his fellow orphans: Cassie (Jennifer Dundas), Edmund (Charles Fields), James (Jeff Alan-Lee), and Ben (Danny Pintauro). So much so, in fact, that the five of them are willing to do anything not to let their little "family" get split up. One day, they make a break from the orphanage, and travel cross country to set down roots in Missouri. They face snobbery from suspicious local townspeople, and Arthurs' capabilities as a supervisory figure come into question, although he's actually maintained a good living as the person behind the nationally syndicated "Dear Lola" advice column.The film isn't exactly all that sensible, or realistic, in some ways. But the five young actors in the primary roles are just so damn appealing that you do buy into them as a family of sorts. They also have good chemistry with each other. (One oddball character quirk that the story gives Ben is that he has a tendency to eat paper(!).) You also certainly understand Arthurs' decision to want to plead his case in court.This is ultimately a warm-hearted fable, with adequate pacing, and decent location shooting in New Jersey and New York state. It's not subtle when it wants to manipulate you, and some viewers may have a hard time keeping the tears at bay. But it does also have a good sense of humour, and at its best it can be pretty charming. One twist well into the story has Alan-Lee revealing his past, born into a carny background, and toting around a makeup kit that could easily rival the legendary Lon Chaneys'.The performances are wonderful right across the board. McCarthy is excellent, and the supporting cast features a number of familiar, reliable actors: Will Patton, George Martin, J.T. Walsh, William Duell, Bill Smitrovich, and Anthony Heald.Appropriate viewing for your younger family members.Seven out of 10.

country_tanner Its been awhile since I have seen this movie but reading the places where The Beniker Gang was filmed at, I noticed one town was missing. Parts of this movie were filmed in Winchester, Virginia. I noticed the Winchester Star newspaper box in the movie.I also seem to remember a scene of a car with a bumper sticker that said "Shenandoah County...Q102". Q102 is Winchester's country music radio station and they have been calling themselves "Shenandoah Country" since 1982. They still do to this day.Oddly around the same time Beniker was filmed, just a few miles away in nearby Martinsburg, West Virginia another movie was being filmed.The Patsy Cline bio-flick Sweet Dreams with Jessica Lange.

mrs_george_harrison I thought this was a good film with an emotional storyline based on a 'family' of five orphans. The five realise they have a special bond together, and see themselves as a family. Arthur, the leader of the family is 18 and has an unusual job but it pays the bills. There are two teen boys, one teenage girl and a six year old boy. They all decide to leave their orphanage so they won't be fostered and then separated from each other. On the run, they eventually find their dream house and have the time of their lives finally living as a family at last. However, they encounter problems when their neighbours suspect that they are runaways without parents and Arthur and the rest of them have to fight to stay together. There is a great bond between these orphans which makes it a good film to watch, especially for the family.

Jonathan Doron I saw this movie as a kid (now you can guess about how old I am), and saw it recently, and it's still fun to watch. A little fairytale-like. Andrew McCarthy was the male equivalent of Molly Ringwald in the 80's. Just a fun light-weighted way to pass an hour and a half.