The critics tripped all over themselves praising "My Favorite Year" when it was released in 1982 (the accolades in the Los Angeles Times ad spread across two pages: "The greatest acting triumph of a lifetime!"). Yet, Peter O'Toole, playing a tippling film star in the 1950s reduced to appearing in a live television program, doesn't do anything here acting-wise he hadn't already accomplished (under far better circumstances). Underling Mark Linn-Baker is assigned to get the great thespian ready for his performance, but the actor's drinking (and hamming) causes chaos for everyone. A benign enterprise, buoyed somewhat by Linn-Baker's refined work, however O'Toole is way over the top (his first scene is merely duplicated throughout, with very little shading). A classy supporting cast certainly helps, but there are few genuine laughs. *1/2 from ****
Review of My Favorite Year
