Simply Perfect

A different way of telling a story

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

I had a friend in school who thought this film was co0mic genius. He was your typical 80s pre-teen / teenager who watched Fridays and SNL and whatever else that altered the comic tastes of America with evening prime time television. Me, I had a hard time understanding what he found funny, and this movie falls into that category.Okay, there's a couple of funny moments in this film, but most of the humor is directed at the "over the top" crowd who like their irreverence taken to the n-th degree with little regard for what people actually find funny.What those people don't understand is that this film, it's core "sub plot" that acts as the blueprint for the script, is about a man suffering from delusional disorder, believing (or convinced) that he has "special" or "magical" powers, and enacts his revenge to get the woman he lost.Much of Hollywood uses psychiatric and/or psychological formulas to write scripts, and here we have a borderline schizophrenic who was put in a delusional state to relax him and not make him a menace to society. Only here it's dressed up as Chevy Chase being a Reagan era air traffic controller (who hasn't been fired) who finds himself in a rut.Enter some quasi-science fiction and suddenly he finds himself having telekinetic abilities. In psychiatric terms this is usually done by shadowing the subject and/or drugging him up, and creating situations that are designed to make him believe that he (or she) has special abilities. It's usually reserved for those who can be seen as a benefit to society; i.e. relations of wealthy or privileged classes, or sponsored by companies who invest in such individuals expecting to gain on the investment.For Chevy Chase it's about going after Patti D'Arbanville's character, the lovely Darcy. Does he succeed? You'll have to see the movie to find out.The film itself, because of its very nature, is irreverent in the highest degree, but also a bit crass and marginally tasteless. For all that I did laugh a few times (though not many). I think one of the issues is that mister Chase himself really isn't the equivalent of Don Knotts or any of the other classic era comedic actors. Still, he seems to fit within this movie and performs his roll adequately.If nothing else this film gives a window to what the teenagers and 20-something youth crowd were viewing in the 1980s as comedy. It's a kind of comedic indicator if you will of society. The film wasn't a huge hit, or so I recall, but gained a level of notoriety as being funny, almost a cult classic.For all that the cast does quite a good job, the over all production values are pretty high for this kind of film, and all in all its an okay production, but the story material and the comedy itself tread B-movie territory.Maybe see it once and see what you think.The top user review for this film has got it partially right in terms of his opinion on the humor stylings

Sheesh, I have read a lot of the reviews posted here and many are unfavorable...bad acting, poor directing, (not so) special effects, mono sound, blah photography....so I understand that after I post my (favorable) review I will probably not be able to run successfully for high public office. Of course, that deal was sealed long ago...its only a matter of time until they dig up and publish my history of my porn site visits in Google archives...so what the heck, here goes.I could NOT stop laughing. Did the other reviews mention casting? It is brilliant...who better to cast as a moody, feckless scorned lover (who happens to be an air traffic controller) than Chevy Chase...add to his performance that of Mitch Kreindel as the more feckless foil and you have a recipe for doubled-over laughter that would make you glad you wore your depends that day, if only they had them back in the 80's when this film was first screened. I loved the telekinesis device, especially the moment when an airplane ashtray complete with roaring engines and laden with cigarette butts, flies across the airport employee lounge and crashes in flames into a wall poster featuring some alpine peak. This is our first clue that Chevy has developed special powers, the rest is charming and fun (thanks to the great cast including Dabney Coleman, Mitch Kreindel, Patti D'Arbanville, and Nell Carter). Detractors will say (have said) otherwise. All that critical nit picking is only detail. Years later, when I think of this film, I smile. How bad can that be?

I found this film entertaining and well put together. Fans of Chevy Chase are advised to check this one out (if you've seen Caddyshack and Fletch too many times). Some truly hilarious scenes and good effort from the whole cast. Brian Murray, Bill Murray's oldest brother, is terrific in his role as the Vietnam vet./ alternative book publisher. His nonchalant irreverence looks forward to his role in the legendary third season of the Television show "Get a Life," in which he plays the roommate of Chris Elliot (highly recommended). Nonetheless, the film is short and feels open-ended, somewhat like a long comedy sketch. It's not going to make the top of any lists, but it's the best early Chase movie that was never a classic.

then we're in serious trouble. I realize this is not to be taken seriously, but the bottom line for me: if you find others' physical pain funny, you've got some SERIOUS issues. Chevy Chase plays a pathetic, selfish, sexist, homophobic, coked-up loser who rightfully so loses his girlfriend. He's given a self-destructive gift as a vehicle for humor in the end teaching him a valuable lesson? Giving his ex-girlfriend's date a serious bloody nose?!?! Sending a ballet dancer flying across the stage and exploding his crotch?!?! THIS is supposed to make me laugh??! If anything, it demonstrates the lack of intellect and decency in American audiences. I don't find this humor humorous, even if it is a sci-fi movie. It's drenched in sexism, homophobia (bringing a gun to ward of homosexuals? nice), and seriously BAD special effects and dialog. The only thing funny now is how much make-up Patti D'Arbinville is wearing and Nell Carter's character (rest in peace Nell, but what were you thinking?). It seems to draw a fan base of anti-social heterosexual men that fantasize about killing everyone that wronged them because they're pathetic. Nice! Should have never been imagined let alone produced...