Welcome to Day 5 of Girl Week 2021! I hope my fellow Americans are resting and recovering from all the food they ate. Of course, I hope that everyone else is having a great day, too.
Today, we are once again blessed with a post from Super-Reader Joel. If you're not familiar with Joel, and why I've dubbed him the Super-Reader, here's a quick back story. Six or seven years ago, he started showing up in the comments section of numerous blogs and almost always gave the most thorough and insightful comments. Bloggers love him because he invites conversation, is extraordinarily knowledgeable about film history without coming off like a snob, and clearly loves engaging others who are passionate about film. He's been a boon for this blog, in particular, by participating in every blogathon I've had since his arrival on the scene through guest posts like this one, his 21st here at Dell on Movies. When you finish reading this post, you can check out the rest by clicking here.
Take it away, Joel.
Director by Arthur Hiller.
1987. Rated R, 100 minutes.
Cast: Bette Midler, Shelley Long, Peter Coyote, Robert Prosky, George Carlin, John Schuck, Anthony Heald, Christopher McDonald.
When Michael "dies" in a gas explosion at a local store, Lauren and Sandy figure out in a most indelicate way that Michael may have faked his death. Their claims ignored and laughed at by the cops the two women decide to search for the truth together but it’s a bumpy ride. Using a mix of ingenuity, street smarts, subterfuge, feminine intuition and desperation they track Michael down bickering most of the way. Michael however does not want to be found since he’s a double agent for the CIA who has now gone rogue, also working for the KGB, he’s stolen a toxin that could destroy huge areas of nature with just a few drops.
When Michael tries to kill them the girls run and are rescued by Weldon (Anthony Heald) who was also in Korzenowski’s class. It turns out he’s a CIA agent planted to catch their teacher, a KGB operative passing info to Santers. Little did he know that he is using the women to pass information unbeknownst to them.
Now in the government’s sights as suspected spies Sandy and Lauren hotfoot it after the villain with the CIA, Korzenowski and a host of others on their trail. After much travail and slapstick, they find themselves in the rundown New Mexico town Tres Crucus where they meet perpetually stoned tour guide and all around grifter Frank (a delightful George Carlin) who they recruit to help them despite his strong reluctance to get involved.
Now in the government’s sights as suspected spies Sandy and Lauren hotfoot it after the villain with the CIA, Korzenowski and a host of others on their trail. After much travail and slapstick, they find themselves in the rundown New Mexico town Tres Crucus where they meet perpetually stoned tour guide and all around grifter Frank (a delightful George Carlin) who they recruit to help them despite his strong reluctance to get involved.
Once they manage to gain possession of the biotoxin through another crazy ruse they now must dodge the murderous Santers as well as everyone else. When he takes Lauren hostage Sandy, while once again trying to get self-declared coward Frank to help, finally admits that after being through a bunch of disgusting stuff together the two women have become friends. And we’re off to a wild ride of a climax with lots of action and laughs.
Though Shelley and Bette DID NOT get along during the filming their comic chemistry is gold turning what could have been just a throwaway chase film into a frantic gem.
Though Shelley and Bette DID NOT get along during the filming their comic chemistry is gold turning what could have been just a throwaway chase film into a frantic gem.
Day 4 Wrap-Up
Arthur Hiller is a filmmaker that I first heard of at a game show on IFC that was about films. Someone had to argue who was a worse filmmaker, him or Michael Bay (we all know that answer). The guy defending Hiller said "if I don't do this, I have failed". For films such as Love Story and Man of La Mancha as those are popular films that I fucking hate. There's stuff like this film, The In-Laws, and Taking Care of Business that I really like. Plus, why is Shelley Long not given more props? She was always a funny presence to watch. Plus, if we were Sam Malone in Cheers. We would've chosen Diane over Rebecca.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen this, but I've always been a fan of Shelley Long. So, I'm in full agreement that she has never really gotten her just due. I plan on watching this soon.
DeleteI wouldn't say Hiller is a bad director just maddeningly uneven. As you said for every miss there is a corresponding hit. When he's on his game as he is here and many other times the results are frequently very good. He did seem to have more of an affinity for comedy (Silver Streak, The Wheeler Dealers) but he made some pungent dramas (The Hospital, Making Love and The Man in the Glass Booth among them). Everyone can't be William Wyler.
DeleteI always love Joel guest posts! I've never seen this one though, but now I'm going to read about the behind the scenes drama.
ReplyDeleteHere's my post from yesterday: https://ramblingfilm.blogspot.com/2021/11/thursday-movie-picks-tv-edition-mystery.html
Joel is great, ain't he?
DeleteI have updated this post to include your link. Thanks, Brit!
Thanks Brittani! Absolutely track this down. It's a fun, breezy escapist picture in the best way. I came during Bette's hugely successful run of Touchstone films, just after Ruthless People and leading into Big Business and Beaches.
DeleteThat's so nice of you to say Dell! I enjoy participating though sometimes I get caught in a time crunch with the posts.
ReplyDeleteYou dressed this up wonderfully as always. That second picture where Shelley has the gun is one of the funniest scenes in the film expertly played by both women.
I saw you haven't watched this yet, I highly recommend it! The script plays to both actresses strengths and it's one of the best spotlights George Carlin ever had. Shelley gets to do more physical comedy than she usually did, Bette found out she was pregnant during filming so some of the stunts she was scheduled for went to Shelley and she handles them very well.
I agree that Shelley Long is an extremely talented woman and should be given more credit for her work. However from everything I've read she is a very difficult person to work with, particularly during her major star period. That poisoned many of her professional relationships so when her popularity dipped she had burned many bridges and her legacy suffered.
Well deserved, friend. Well deserved.
DeleteI've heard similar things about Long. Such a shame because she is a great actress.
I love this move also and found them so great together probably because they disliked each other off screen. I think due to Duvall's Diva ways than Midler's. I love George Carlin in this and I so wish they would play this one on tv more. It's quite funny. you can visit mine here https://createdbybb.blogspot.com/2021/11/girl-week-2021_0525622882.html
ReplyDeleteI love George Carlin. So hilarious. So intelligent. So ornery.
DeleteOh my goodness!! I have never even heard of this movie but it's not on my watchlist lol I love Bette Midler.
ReplyDeleteI've known of it since its release, but I haven't watched it either. So it's on both of our watchlists.
DeleteHi Joel - I agree with Dell: you are a super reader and I always enjoy receiving your insightful comments.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen this film before, or even heard of it, but I think it's one I'd have a lot of fun with. I watched Big Business recently starring Midler - she's a riot!
Yes, he is a super reader. I'm glad he's blessed your blog, too. As for me, I need to see more Bette Midler movies.
DeleteThanks! Big Business IS a riot with both Bette and Lily Tomlin having a great time with their dual characters! Since you enjoyed it I'm sure you'll like Outrageous Fortune. Shelley and Bette have a very silk and sandpaper dynamic much like she did with Lily.
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