Foolin' Around

The fact that this little gem of a movie isn't on DVD in an age when every bad film ever made had met it's digital home is a crime against cinephiles everywhere. I loved this movie as a kid and still have it on VHS but it is very worn and needs to have a DVD upgrade very soon.

You have an all-star cast, a whip-smart script and one of the most underrated performances of Tony Randall's career. What more are you people waiting for.

If you get a chance and happen to come across a VHS copy at your local video store, do yourself a favor and pick it up. It is well worth your time, for Tony Randall if nothing else.

I saw this on cable around 1982, and have fondly remembered it ever since. Very funny! My sister and I cracked up the whole time watching the average-Joe, Gary Busey, try to win the love of rich-girl, Annette O'Toole, and the crazy antics involving the butler. The butler (Tony Randall) was so funny in this movie! Unfortunately, it is not currently available on DVD/video. I sure hope it is re-released soon.

This movie has too much adult material in it, but if you accept that fact, it is a pretty good movie. Busey plays Wes, a likable underdog from Fort Cobb, Oklahoma. His friend Clay has been going to the University of Minnesota, and Wes enrolls to learn building engineering. Susan's grandfather offers wisdom to young Wes. Seals and Crofts perform the title song and "These Moments Never Live Again." The movie paints Minnesota in a favorable light. It shows a Vikings game and the Mississippi River, and it gives you the feeling you're right there. There is a lot of silliness in this movie, but, then, it's called "Foolin' Around."

Annette O'Toole and Gary Busey have good chemistry together. The supporting cast adds so much to this movie. One of the supporting roles I haven't seen anyone mention is Michael Talbott as Clay, Wes' (Gary Busey's) best friend. I thought he was very funny, along with John Calvin as the uppity boyfriend, Cloris Leachman, Eddie Albert and Tony Randall. Also, notice the cameo appearance of William H. Macy as the book salesmen who's car is hung by Wes.

If you scout around a little bit here on IMDb you'll find Siskel and Ebert hating this film with vigor. They're really wrong IMO. The movie is worth watching. I'm not saying it's a comedy classic--there's a fair bit of dumb crap to wade through, and the last 10 minutes are weak--but its best moments are fun and interesting. For example, Eddie Albert's scene at the construction site with Gary Busey, at 1:14:00, is honest and powerful, yeah a bit melodramatic, but the actors keep it mostly real. Notice how Albert deliberately drops an apple, to show the height they're at, and then has another one ready to eat.

Annette O'Toole and Busey have definite chemistry. O'Toole is the making of the picture. This is some of her best work. She captures something essential about a young woman having trouble deciding about her future. I'm surprised that both Siskel and Ebert fail to see the quality of her performance. (The filmmakers missed a great shot by not adequately lighting her face when she invites Busey into the back of the van. The cinematographer, Philip Lathrop, should be docked a week's pay for that.)

Look for William H. Macy early in a small role; the scene is important because Busey needs to prove his mettle and his slight craziness, and does so. I laughed out loud at Tony Randall's work. Eddie Albert, who grew up in Minnesota, played two interesting Minnesota business leader types in his career: here and in "The Heartbreak Kid," 1972 version. (If you know the Twin Cities at all, "Foolin' Around" and "The Heartbreak Kid" are must-sees. The former is free on YouTube.)