Der Prinz von Bel Air

Prince of Bel Air is pure 80s, and completely driven by the typical type-casted efforts of Mark Harmon as Robin Prince, a carefree pool man's who's benefits of the job include not a pension plan, but rather, a slick tan and a knack for wooing the ladies. For the summer, he takes on his financier's son, a high school graduate named Justin (Patrick Labyorteaux looking quite gorgeous), mentoring the virgin young lad in what he knows well: swimming pools and women. Although, while Justin assimilates to Robin's habits of this sort, old Robin may be having a change of heart when he falls in love with Justin's cousin, Jamie (Kiersty Allie), a woman who partially doesn't seem to mind Robin's reluctance for monogamy, even when he is so brutally honest about it (of course, this changes). So, most of the movie is simply a guy figuring out whether commitment is really such a terrible word.

The movie is really one that is so intent on delivering all of that Harmon charm and humor, the guy that's everybody's buddy kind of character he is so well known to play, especially in his choice of late 80s films, but the movie overall lacks much conflict in trying to impress this on the viewer. While there are some rifts between Robin and the characters of his old lifestyle (collectively known as "the guys") and those of his possible new lifestyle ("Jamie"), there is simply not that much to make you think a guy like Robin would care much about it. He never seems so sincere. It's just like, oh, he's rethinking the whole thing, so you'll have to expunge some sympathy for him, without ever really having much reason to buy into it. We shouldn't have to, and neither should he simply because there just doesn't seem like enough reason to. The relationship with Jamie is delicate at best.

Aside from that however, I would recommend watching it for fans of pure 80s movies. It is no more than a light love story of sorts that celebrates a cast of well-tanned Californians. In the year following this made-for-TV movie, Harmon will have teamed up again with Laboryteaux ("Justin"), Dean Cameron ("Willard"), and Kirstie Alley ("Jamie") for the Carl Reiner comedy, Summer School. It may be worth it just to see it for those familiar faces.

Although "Prince Of Bel Air" was made twenty-five years ago, surprisingly the movie hasn't aged that badly. The fashions, lingo, and other culture traits the movie uses could for the most part be passed off the same way today. The movie is watchable for other reasons as well. One thing I liked about the movie was that all the characters come across as very likable. Sure, Harmon's character is kind of a womanizer, but he does have genuine feelings to the women he interacts with, and in the end he learns that being in a solid relationship is more fulfilling than just bouncing from one conquest to another. There isn't a lot of plot here, but the movie is made in a breezy fashion that carries you along to the end. It's decent entertainment when you are not in the mood to think very hard.

Romantic comedy from the American television station ABC with Mark Harmon and Kirstie Alley

This "Movie Of The Week", which was broadcast by ABC on January 20, 1986, only made it onto West German television in the 1980s because of the attractive and then very well-known actors. Mark Harmon, who became popular through the short-lived NBC prime-time soap "Flamingo Road", plays a good-looking pool cleaner who sleeps with his wealthy clients one after the other and also knows how to enjoy life under the California sun. It is only when he meets the wealthy artist Jamie, played by Kirstie Alley (the fantastic Virgilia Hazard Grady from the ABC mini-series "North and South"), that the potent charmer changes his busy, dissolute life. So in terms of content, nothing special! Perhaps worth noting only because of the stars at a very young age!

In a supporting role is the older (early 20s!) Matthew Labyorteaux, who is best known as the young Andrew from the charming family series "Little Home in the Prairie" with Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert.

Robin Prince (Mark Harmon) owns a pool maintenance business that serves the well-to-do citizens of Bel Air, California. He's handsome, charismatic, in his early 30s and enjoys the side-fruits of his labors, i.e. attractive housewives desperate for attention. While mentoring the teen (Patrick Labyorteaux) of a rich client (Robert Vaughn), he meets their stunning relative who challenges his playboy lifestyle (Kirstie Alley).

Although "Prince of Bel Air" debuted on ABC in the USA in January, 1986, it was released theatrically in Europe with the extra inclusion of a top nudity scene, as well as a little cussing. The ensuing video version is the R-rated Euro version, not the TV version. I point this out because "Prince of Bel Air" shouldn't be written off as "just a TV movie."

It's actually a quality drama/romance about coming of age, not just for the kid (Labyorteaux), but for Harmon's character too. He's 32-33, but still living like a freestyle frat boy and needs to grow up. In addition, the script throws in some insightful bits, like how Robin (Harmon) wisely changes his approach towards his unprofessional employees.

Sharp Kirstie Alley was certainly in her voluptuous prime; she has a stunning scene at the pool in a one-piece bathing suit. There are a handful of other beauties, including Katherine Moffat as Kelli and Deborah Harmon as a desperate housewife.

Four of the cast members (Harmon, Alley, Labyorteaux and Dean Cameron) would appear in "Summer School" the following year. It features the same general locations (the coastal Los Angeles area) and a romance between Harmon and Alley, but the stories are very different. This one came first and is a drama akin to "Lifeguard" (1976) whereas "Summer School" is more of a high school dramedy in the mold of "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" (1982).

Lastly, this movie has nothing to do with the ensuing 1990-1996 sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, but I'm sure the creators of that show were inspired by the title.

The film runs 1 hour, 35 minutes, and was shot in Los Angeles. The Bel Air district, by the way, is located just north of UCLA and northwest of Beverly Hills.

GRADE: B

Before Summer School, Mark Harmon and Kirstie Alley teamed up for this made-for-TV romantic fable about a pool cleaning contractor who had it all: his own business, good looks and no shortage of female customers who wanted more than just their drains plumbed. But his all-American sex fantasy life gets complicated when Kirstie Alley shows up one day in one of his customer's pools. She's an artist, smart and interesting, and able to resist his boyish charm. To pursue her, he has to take stock of his life and lifestyle. Yep, pretty paint-by-numbers as these TV romances go, but at least everything is played for charm rather than cheap titillation. There is little comedy here, or much drama - it's mostly a character piece. The Bel Air setting is attractive and well- used, with lots of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous visual appeal and both Harmon and Alley are great looking and likable in their roles. This is also a great reminder of how Kirstie Alley got to be a sex symbol 25 years ago, since nowadays she is mostly famous for being overweight. Your first glimpse of her in a swimsuit is one of those true WOW moments. Cautiously recommended, keep expectations low.