Can you recommend an entire comedy based on two funny moments? I fear not. But I am forced to argue with my self about it: This movie does have some laughs in it, compared to many other comedies that do not, but there just aren't enough. I am reminded of the old saying that if you enjoy a movie, tell your friends to go see it, no matter what the merit. And while i did enjoy most of this light-headed entertainment, there are so many things keeping me from recommending it.
The story evolves from at least six different comedy classifications and probably more: the road movie, buddy, slapstick, sex-oriented, physical and the dumb and dumber type. The problem is, the characters are the only thing going for the movie, for the screenplay is dearly week and pale, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that, so it is up to the cast to bring in the humor. They do, to a certain extent, but their purpose in the plot is constantly changing. For instance, the Goldie Hawn character, during one of the movies "Dumb and Dumber" syndromes, is stupid on an airplane, smart in a hotel, witty during a selected joke, sly while scheming a blackmail plan and tender while looking at her spouses relationship with her. You have to keep the characters consistent, if not, all comic purpose is non-existent.
This type of movie seldom works. Earlier this year we saw Ben Affleck and Sandra Bullock doing the same sort of things in "Forces of Nature," last year's "The Odd Couple 2," also a Neil Simon remake. There are tricks filmmakers can use to make a successful movie like this, but they are hardly ever used.
The film stars Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn as a middle aged couple who just experienced the cold move of their son, the husband lost his job, and the wife is having a mid-life crisis. Things are not going well, and they only get worse as they make an occupational tip to New York, but their train leaves them behind after their airplane is delayed.
The characters go though lost of tragic events while they try to get to their destination, but when they do get there, all the problems are solved, because this is the kind of movie that would do anything no madder what to contain a charming and uplifting ending.
The movie as a whole isn't all that funny. But the two selected laugh riots come from the sex oriented type humor. The first scene takes place in a sex-therapy session in which out of towners become mixed up in. The people there have many problems. One man masturbates seventeen times a day, another woman has sex with too many people, she is called the "Sexaholic." The other scene develops from the couple have sex in a dark, lifeless park, only for the mayor to light up the grand opening right in the middle of their doings.
If you chose to see the movie, don't be surprised if you enjoy it. I liked some of the film, but not quite enough to recommend.
The story evolves from at least six different comedy classifications and probably more: the road movie, buddy, slapstick, sex-oriented, physical and the dumb and dumber type. The problem is, the characters are the only thing going for the movie, for the screenplay is dearly week and pale, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that, so it is up to the cast to bring in the humor. They do, to a certain extent, but their purpose in the plot is constantly changing. For instance, the Goldie Hawn character, during one of the movies "Dumb and Dumber" syndromes, is stupid on an airplane, smart in a hotel, witty during a selected joke, sly while scheming a blackmail plan and tender while looking at her spouses relationship with her. You have to keep the characters consistent, if not, all comic purpose is non-existent.
This type of movie seldom works. Earlier this year we saw Ben Affleck and Sandra Bullock doing the same sort of things in "Forces of Nature," last year's "The Odd Couple 2," also a Neil Simon remake. There are tricks filmmakers can use to make a successful movie like this, but they are hardly ever used.
The film stars Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn as a middle aged couple who just experienced the cold move of their son, the husband lost his job, and the wife is having a mid-life crisis. Things are not going well, and they only get worse as they make an occupational tip to New York, but their train leaves them behind after their airplane is delayed.
The characters go though lost of tragic events while they try to get to their destination, but when they do get there, all the problems are solved, because this is the kind of movie that would do anything no madder what to contain a charming and uplifting ending.
The movie as a whole isn't all that funny. But the two selected laugh riots come from the sex oriented type humor. The first scene takes place in a sex-therapy session in which out of towners become mixed up in. The people there have many problems. One man masturbates seventeen times a day, another woman has sex with too many people, she is called the "Sexaholic." The other scene develops from the couple have sex in a dark, lifeless park, only for the mayor to light up the grand opening right in the middle of their doings.
If you chose to see the movie, don't be surprised if you enjoy it. I liked some of the film, but not quite enough to recommend.