It's S. O. S. Time in Hollywood, and Oscar winner Joe Pesci is the general turning crime on its ear, fighting a car radio theft racket which upsets City Hall and the police more than it does the crooks, mainly because it makes law enforcement look like idiots, and shows that the inmates are running the asylum. Pesci, delivering one of his most likeable performances (in a movie that unreservedly slipped through the cracks), is hysterically funny, with a voice that sounds amazingly like Julie Kavner (Marge Simpson) and a hairstyle that gets giggles every time he gets a closeup. This is the only movie where someone recites in street address order a group of mostly long forgotten celebrities on the walk of fame...blindfolded.
In support, Christian Slater is much more subtle, obviously playing a character who has smoked more than his share of the happy grass. He plays a character determined to walk through life with no unhappiness, definitely a follower, and a very likeable one. Victoria Abril, as Pesci's tough talking but loving girlfriend, is also very good, and they are one of the most delightful odd couples to grace the screens ever. Obviously this was written with a whole lot of love of classic movies, as well as how the district of Hollywood used to be.
Having lived there back in the 80's, I recognized a lot of now gone businesses (Newberry's discount stores, one of the original five and dimes) and eateries (miss those old wooden greasy spoons), as well as the types of wonderful characters who would hang out on the boulevard, making it the Times Square of SoCal, both much changed. Director Barry Levinson has had many films now considered classics, but it's little sleepers like this that deserve the rediscovery. If you love quirky little films of how dreamers strive to go over their own rainbow, then this is the film for you.
In support, Christian Slater is much more subtle, obviously playing a character who has smoked more than his share of the happy grass. He plays a character determined to walk through life with no unhappiness, definitely a follower, and a very likeable one. Victoria Abril, as Pesci's tough talking but loving girlfriend, is also very good, and they are one of the most delightful odd couples to grace the screens ever. Obviously this was written with a whole lot of love of classic movies, as well as how the district of Hollywood used to be.
Having lived there back in the 80's, I recognized a lot of now gone businesses (Newberry's discount stores, one of the original five and dimes) and eateries (miss those old wooden greasy spoons), as well as the types of wonderful characters who would hang out on the boulevard, making it the Times Square of SoCal, both much changed. Director Barry Levinson has had many films now considered classics, but it's little sleepers like this that deserve the rediscovery. If you love quirky little films of how dreamers strive to go over their own rainbow, then this is the film for you.