Reviews

Trite. Inane. John Cusack, you have done so many good films in your time. What possessed you to do this poor excuse of a romantic comedy? Diane Lane plays a 40-something individual who has absolutely no control of any aspect of her life except to berate the deli counterman at her local supermarket. Christopher Plummer... I'd hoped to remember him as Captain Von Trapp, not some randy old Irishman who likes to quote poets and juggle three chicks at the same time. For pet lovers, there are plenty of dogs in the movie, but not all of them have four legs and a tail. Most of them are spouting the ridiculous lines of the script. Gee. I can't wait for the sequel!

To fully appreciate the significance of A NIGHT AT THE OPERA to the Marx Brothers' and their fans of today, one has to understand at bit of history. DUCK SOUP, the film they made just prior to this one, may be considered by today's audience as their funniest ever, but at the time it was a box office flop and led to the Marxes' dismissal from Paramount.

Irving Thalberg of MGM rescued their careers by providing them a formulaic movie that allowed them to work their lunacy around an actual plot (ie, boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl plus the Marxes versus a villain or two), making A NIGHT AT THE OPERA and A DAY AT THE RACES two films that had a little something for everyone. It literally saved their careers at the time, and Groucho Marx was quoted in that regard many, many times.

The tragedy of the whole thing is that Thalberg died young and his influence is felt only through RACES. The films made after RACES pale in comparison. Louis B. Mayer, the head of MGM, could care less about the Marx Brothers, and while Thalberg made sure they had the best writers and support staff, Mayer threw them to the wolves. Who knows what else the Marxes may have given us had Thalberg lived. So yes, some of the "dramatic" scenes in NIGHT and RACES may seem a bit contrived and over the top for today's audiences, and the music may be something that you "tolerate". But without it, there may never have been Otis B. Driftwood, the Stateroom Scene, Mrs. Claypool, Hugo Z. Hackenbush (RACES), Tootsie-Frootsie Ice-a Crim (RACES). Take these films in the context of the times and the situation and enjoy them. Let joy be unconfined! Let there be dancing in the streets, drinking in the saloons and necking in the parlors. Play, Don!

By far the worst movie of all time. Even Yaphet Kotto could not save this turkey. I have heard that the movie was originally supposed to be titled "The Treasure" but was changed to "Sharks' Treasure" in order to take advantage of the excitement created by "Jaws". I think sharks were in one scene of this movie; the fact that they happened to be included in this "thriller" was supposed to sell tickets. Didn't work. Anytime something "good" happens in the movie, the ship's crew toasts each other with a certain brand of beer that had just been introduced at the time the movie was made. Gee, do ya think that beer might have been a sponsor? Could they have made it any more obvious? The only time anyone should break out the beer is if they make it through this thing. That's cause enough for celebration.

Wow. What do you do for an encore to this one, Mr. Guest? The movie leaves you wanting more. Fortunately, there IS more -- in the form of the soundtrack, featuring songs from all the "groups" -- The Folksmen, Mitch & Mickey and The New Main Street Singers -- many of which don't even appear in the movie. Absolutely fantastic, "true" to the era of folk music, many with amusing twists to them. And if you've never heard the Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up" done to a folk tune melody, you're in for a treat.

If you are looking for a gut-busting, laugh-a-minute film, this is NOT the film for you. If you are looking for a film to make you think, smile and reminisce a bit, then this is for you. The all-star cast, made up from the casts of THIS IS SPINAL TAP, WAITING FOR GUFFMAN and BEST IN SHOW, are all here. You'll spend your first time watching the film looking for the various actors. You'll go back to watch it more carefully and more fully enjoy the music.

And after the movie -- remember -- EA A OE'S!!

Supposedly based on the book of the same name, the only similarities are the characters' names -- SOME of the characters. Some of the best ones, such as Elroy Blunt, greatest country/western singer ever to warble a tune, were left out completely. The whole thing is a shame, because this was by far the funniest book I ever read. I remember eagerly anticipating the forthcoming movie back in 1977. Then I heard that Burt Reynolds, Kris Kristofferson and Jill Clayburgh were the stars and thought "oh-oh." Still, I went to see the movie -- just awful. Watched it again a couple of years ago with the hope that time might have taken the edge off. Wrong; it was worse than ever. While I respect the "favorable" reviews given by some above, it's obvious that they didn't read the book. I'd invite them to do so, then watch the movie again and see how they'd rate it again.