What would you do if you suddenly found yourself corresponding with a man who says he's in a deadly situation and needs your help to get out of it? No doubt most of us would assume we were being jerked around, and forget about it. But, of course, this is the movies, and where would the fun be in that...
Terry Doolittle (Whoopi Goldberg) is an energetic woman who has a boring job at a bank. She tries to liven things up during the eight hours a day she spends there, but only succeeds in running afoul of her boss, Mr. Page (Peter Michael Goetz). And then one day, she gets a message on her computer from someone who only identifies himself as Jumping Jack Flash (Jonathan Pryce, only seen at the tale end of the movie). Taunted by Jack with clues as to who - and where - he is, Terry starts digging, and comes up with a British agent in real trouble. Unfortunately, Jeremy Talbott (John Wood), the diplomat sent by the British embassy to talk to Terry only hinders things as he turns out to be a double agent. And Jack's former girlfriend, Lady Sarah Billings (Sara Botsford), won't help much to begin with either. Still, Terry believes Jack and tries to help him anyway, with the result that she is drawn further into the spy world. She proves surprisingly resourceful in dealing with enemy agents who drug her, knock her unconscious, and in one hysterically funny scene, kidnap her by dragging her through New York City in a phone booth. But for all her resources, can she save Jack before Talbott has him killed?
The plot is incredibly full of holes, but the movie is so well paced that you really don't care. Like an amusement park ride, you go along merely for the illusion of it, and it's the illusion you enjoy.
The acting is excellent, primarily because so much of it is Goldberg, who carries the film with ease. Aside from displaying an absolute genius for physical comedy, Goldberg makes you care about her character. Goetz is a wonderful actor, and sadly underrated, who makes Page an incredibly annoying boss. Wood is perfect as the slimy Brit, and Botsford does a good job of redeeming her character in the end. Carol Kane, Annie Potts, and Phil Hartman do well in unfortunately small parts. And Roscoe Lee Browne's cameo is delightful.
It's not the greatest of movies, but from a pure entertainment standpoint, it can't be beat, and it is worth it to watch Goldberg strut her stuff on screen.
Terry Doolittle (Whoopi Goldberg) is an energetic woman who has a boring job at a bank. She tries to liven things up during the eight hours a day she spends there, but only succeeds in running afoul of her boss, Mr. Page (Peter Michael Goetz). And then one day, she gets a message on her computer from someone who only identifies himself as Jumping Jack Flash (Jonathan Pryce, only seen at the tale end of the movie). Taunted by Jack with clues as to who - and where - he is, Terry starts digging, and comes up with a British agent in real trouble. Unfortunately, Jeremy Talbott (John Wood), the diplomat sent by the British embassy to talk to Terry only hinders things as he turns out to be a double agent. And Jack's former girlfriend, Lady Sarah Billings (Sara Botsford), won't help much to begin with either. Still, Terry believes Jack and tries to help him anyway, with the result that she is drawn further into the spy world. She proves surprisingly resourceful in dealing with enemy agents who drug her, knock her unconscious, and in one hysterically funny scene, kidnap her by dragging her through New York City in a phone booth. But for all her resources, can she save Jack before Talbott has him killed?
The plot is incredibly full of holes, but the movie is so well paced that you really don't care. Like an amusement park ride, you go along merely for the illusion of it, and it's the illusion you enjoy.
The acting is excellent, primarily because so much of it is Goldberg, who carries the film with ease. Aside from displaying an absolute genius for physical comedy, Goldberg makes you care about her character. Goetz is a wonderful actor, and sadly underrated, who makes Page an incredibly annoying boss. Wood is perfect as the slimy Brit, and Botsford does a good job of redeeming her character in the end. Carol Kane, Annie Potts, and Phil Hartman do well in unfortunately small parts. And Roscoe Lee Browne's cameo is delightful.
It's not the greatest of movies, but from a pure entertainment standpoint, it can't be beat, and it is worth it to watch Goldberg strut her stuff on screen.