Nicht jetzt, Liebling

Three very likable stars do a great job with an old movie premise...for about two-thirds of the film. Girl falls in love with wealthy man pretending to be poor, discovers his deception, feels betrayed....etc. etc. Sound familiar? It is, and Fields, Caine and Guttenburg do a great job...for a while...but even these three can only take a tired story line so far. The show fall apart after the slot machine scene, and try though they may, the cast is unable to eradicate it from the toilet bowl. There are some extremely funny scenes, especially Guttenburg's post-shower phone call with a client, and a lot of double entendre, but sadly, the whole thing comes apart at the seams.

Successful writer Sean Stein (Michael Caine) had been taken to the cleaners over and over again. First, he let his wife win due to his guilt about his mistress. Next, he's giving up another half to the mistress. He even gets robbed by a hooker. Now, he's gunshy with women. He's moving to Kuwait where women can't vote. Daisy Morgan (Sally Field) is a frustrated artist forced to mass produce hotel room paintings. She's stuck dating unscrupulous lawyer Marty (Steve Guttenberg) who refuses to commit. Both Sean and Daisy happen to be at a large fundraiser when robbers break in and strip everyone naked. Sean and Daisy are forced tied together.

I remember the elevator scene. I think I remember a few other scenes. It may be from the trailer. More likely, I saw the movie and forgot it. There's a reason to forget this. I don't like Sean and this movie is bothersome. I do like everybody initially. Sally Field is always adorable. Michael Caine can be very fun but when he starts pursuing Daisy, he becomes a stalker and a bit creepy. He needs to hit the cute button rather than the creepy button. The meet-cute is pretty cute but it goes downhill from there. The money issue keeps interfering with the rom-com. The basic premise is problematic for its romance and its comedy. It's in the movie's genes. I'm sure that Jerry Belson thinks that this is funny for all those divorced guys out there but I'm not sure that it's funny for anyone else.

I've scoured the internet trying to find this on DVD. The chemistry between Michael Caine and Sally Field is outstanding. I don't know if the following line would be called a spoiler....I don't think so I just think of it as one of many funny incidents that happen in this flick. It is the scene where they are tied up together (naked) so funny. Steve Guttenberg as a spoiled rich guy is funny as well. I can't believe this movie hasn't been done on DVD. I've seen so many movies that shouldn't be on DVD. This movie is so much better than those. I believe if given the chance this movie would do well on DVD. If I can't get it that way, I may get desperate enough to get the VHS version...hope it doesn't come down to that. Whoever you DVD gods are, I hope you do this one SOON!

Michael Caine is always worth watching, and Sally Field is at her most attractive here, but this romantic comedy is just very mild and weightless (and I mean it in a negative way). It's occasionally enjoyable, though.

I really enjoyed this romantic comedy. I found it funny and kept my interest throughout. Sterling performances by Sally Field and Michael Caine. Some of the supporting cast also turned in good performances. Well worth catching on video or cable.