Man, I remember really laughing at this when I saw it in the theaters. But, a look at it again 20 years later on tape was another disappointment. I found that with a lot of 1970s films.
The story still had some decent humor but too much of it contains Burt Reynolds whining and whining about his impending death. It really can grate on you after awhile.
Only after Dom DeLuise enters the film, about halfway through, does the movie take off and become comedic. In fact, his are the only funny scenes. The story's dark humor that may not appeal to everyone.
Doing this review and looking at the "cast of characters" shocked me. I only remember Reynolds and DeLuise. I can't believe that the likes of Joanne Woodward, Pat O'Brien, Strother Martin, Myrna Loy, Robby Benson, Kristy McNichol, Norman Fell and Carl Reiner also were in this. Burt's girl, Sally Field, was here, too, but that's not a surprise. I am sorry to see these classic-era stars in an "R" rated movie. It goes to show you they would have done the same back in the '40s, if allowed.
The story is kind of ironic, though, and maybe I should give this movie another look. I had just gotten into a discussion with several friends about suicide, several of us commenting whether we would consider that as opposed to suffering with a painful, long-term and fatal illness. That's the predicament Reynolds' character finds himself in, in this story. The thing is - and who can't relate to this? - he's too chicken to kill himself! Ha ha. Still, it's DeLuise that will make most people laugh at this film. Reynolds' ego gets in the way of his performance. I wonder if Dr. Kevorkian found this film funny?
The story still had some decent humor but too much of it contains Burt Reynolds whining and whining about his impending death. It really can grate on you after awhile.
Only after Dom DeLuise enters the film, about halfway through, does the movie take off and become comedic. In fact, his are the only funny scenes. The story's dark humor that may not appeal to everyone.
Doing this review and looking at the "cast of characters" shocked me. I only remember Reynolds and DeLuise. I can't believe that the likes of Joanne Woodward, Pat O'Brien, Strother Martin, Myrna Loy, Robby Benson, Kristy McNichol, Norman Fell and Carl Reiner also were in this. Burt's girl, Sally Field, was here, too, but that's not a surprise. I am sorry to see these classic-era stars in an "R" rated movie. It goes to show you they would have done the same back in the '40s, if allowed.
The story is kind of ironic, though, and maybe I should give this movie another look. I had just gotten into a discussion with several friends about suicide, several of us commenting whether we would consider that as opposed to suffering with a painful, long-term and fatal illness. That's the predicament Reynolds' character finds himself in, in this story. The thing is - and who can't relate to this? - he's too chicken to kill himself! Ha ha. Still, it's DeLuise that will make most people laugh at this film. Reynolds' ego gets in the way of his performance. I wonder if Dr. Kevorkian found this film funny?