Revealing mistake: During the first shot of Larry being pushed out of the car, it's blatantly a stunt double who is taller, thinner and has shorter hair than the actor.
Revealing mistake: When Nathan walks into the classroom singing, the center sliding glass door on the back bookcase is closed in the initial overhead long shot, but in the tracking shots that door has been pushed to the side, so as not to see the reflection of the camera/crew as Nathan walks up the aisle following the camera. (01:42:15)
Revealing mistake: In the parking lot of what is supposed to be Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, all the cars have Florida license plates. This happened because Ron Howard shot much of the film in Florida, not in St. Louis, Missouri.
Continuity mistake: During the family dinner, the level of the wine in all the characters' glasses changes from one shot to the next.
Continuity mistake: In the classroom, when Susan and Nathan kiss beside the blackboard, the blue loose-leaf binder on the boy's desk is closed, whereas in the previous and following shots it is open. (01:43:30)
Continuity mistake: After Helen drops her handbag and Julie's photos all over the floor, as she runs after Julie, when Julie returns the handbag's position is completely different and the orange blanket repeatedly changes as well. (00:28:25)
Continuity mistake: When Gil talks to Karen in the van about his dazzling Dave and being tense, the red and white registration sticker is visible at the lower right corner of the windshield. When Gil and Karen's van is totaled that registration sticker is conspicuously gone. (01:15:40 - 01:16:40)
Continuity mistake: After Julie picks up the photos from the floor and explains how she feels about Tod, she grabs the large duffel, tosses it onto her shoulder and picks up the smaller bag. Next shot, both bags are still on the floor. (00:29:05)
Continuity mistake: During Kevin's party, streamers change position and/or balloons change color and/or amount. For example, when the kids first run from Gil's water guns there are five balloons on the trellis left post, but when Gil brings out the cake there are seven. (00:54:50)
Continuity mistake: Things such as Susan's briefcase repeatedly change position on her desk, during the scene in her classroom. (01:41:50)
Continuity mistake: At the start of Kevin's party, the horse seen giving a child a ride has a small white mark on his face, between the eyes. When Cowboy Gil rides the horse he now has a long, broad white mark down his face.
Visible crew/equipment: When Karen walks into the boys' bedroom telling Gil that Taylor isn't feeling well, as Justin stands there naked, the reflection of the boom mic dips into view in the center window, at the top right corner. (00:06:45)
Continuity mistake: When Helen empties Garry's paper bag onto his bed, the three blankets change between shots. (01:06:35)
Factual error: In the opening scene at the baseball game, the announcer thanks the crowd for coming to see the St. Louis Cardinals. The fans are sitting in yellow seats, but all of the seats in Busch Stadium in St. Louis are red.
Continuity mistake: When Justin disrupts Taylor's play, just as Gil feels the roller coaster ride, there's a shot of the stage and most of the set is already knocked over. When Gil's ride stops more of the set is intact and then topples again and again. (01:54:20)
Continuity mistake: In the kitchen, when Tod and Helen talk about Garry, various things repeatedly move around. For example, the kettle turns itself around in Helen's close-ups and the tongs move all over the plate between shots. (01:10:00)
Visible crew/equipment: In their bedroom, when Gil stands in the bathroom doorway and Karen sits on the bed, just as she comments about being asked if Kevin has had psychiatric evaluation, crew movement is reflected in the barometer glass on the wall. (00:08:40)
Continuity mistake: When Helen throws the pictures of her daughter and her boyfriend down, the pictures are all over the floor, and by the chair she is sitting in. However, when her daughter comes in the room to pick them up, they are all in a pile closer to the coffee table.
Visible crew/equipment: When Robards walks into the garage after Larry has returned the antique car, a boom mic is reflected in the trunk of the car.
Continuity mistake: When Julie walks into the house, just as her mom looks at the photos, her very long hair lies in front of both shoulders, but in the next back shot, it is all noticeably pulled to one side, only in front of her right shoulder. (00:27:30)
Answer: If a child becomes estranged from their father after their parents have divorced, it's not all that uncommon for the child to take their mother's maiden surname instead of their father's.
raywest ★