Greedy

This is film is about a very basic instinct in all of us, simply put forth in the title "Greed".

As the story unfolds the characters seem very familiar, people we have seen and known and loved. They are not evil people. They have slowly and simply given in to the lure of greed. Here is a story about a multi-millionaire uncle and his clan of relatives each trying to beat the other in pleasing their uncle to get quoted in his will. Even the nicest and most honest of them all (Michael J Fox) slowly get sucked into the plot and get into this run for money.

The story is an eye-opener. It gives us an opportunity to look into ourselves and our own set of values. It makes us introspect and re-prioritise our lives. How many times have we ourselves given in to the rut? Without meaning to hurt how many times have we actually fooled ourselves into believing that what we are doing is for a noble cause when actually all that we were actually interested in was the money?

the ending is great. It brings back faith to people who have become cynical enough to believe that good does not beget good in return always. It raises our hopes and makes us feel good about being simple and honest with ourselves. it is a must watch movie for the whole family.

This is an important film for the whole family to see. Not because it's a work of art, because it isn't. However, the warning that this film is trying to give is that greed can be all consuming (In this case, trying to get Kirk Douglas's money). It shows how even the best of people can slowly be perverted into doing things that they normally would not. Not all at once but in stages, creeping up on them before they fully realise it. This is obviously most noticeable in Michael J Fox's character, being the central one but it's important to look at the others. Phil Hartman's is the most purely after the money from the start but the others range in increasing degrees with the amount of doubt about their motives and show some conscience before it is overriden by their stronger desire for money, even to the point of not following decent human behaviour that they normally wouldn't otherwise. Worth watching because there are many lessons to be learned and a couple of nice twists. Keeps you wrong-footed (quite literally) until the very end.

Well, I have to say I'm going to be a little biased. I have to appreciate the effort that Michael J. Fox went through to sell the bowling part of this role. No, he wasn't about to make a name on the tour or anything, but working the great Johnny Petraglia, he did turn into an above average bowler by the time he got done. A buck 75 bowler was a pretty good average in 1994 and not too shabby today.

I have always liked Kirk Douglas and I think he played all the little different levels of deception about as well as you could want. Phil Hartman is Phil Hartman...I do miss his humor. Davis and D'Abo are definitely enjoyable to watch, Ed Begley had his moments and who doesn't like a Jimmy Durante impersonation?

All in all, I think it succeeded as an above average comedy, but I can understand why the morality lesson doesn't appeal to everyone and probably even less today than it did in 1994.

Give it a chance...you never know when you might get a lucky strike.

A wonderful, little known movie. I join the others here who wonder how this jewel slipped past recognition in theaters. I was amazed when I stumbled across it- I don't even recall how.

What a joy. I remain shocked that such a good film is so unknown. The timing, the dialogue, the hilarious writing... What distribution company dropped the ball on this one? The dinner table scene at the beginning is the best ensemble five minutes or so I have ever watched. It's like a brilliant verbal volleyball game, comments popped from one character to the next, no one letting the ball drop. This family deserves each other. I, like "Little Daniel" was rooting for "the Limey Chick."

The blending of actors is perfect. Michael J. Fox, being Michael J. Fox alone should have assured the movie's recognition...oh yeah, that's why I rented it. Phil Hartman- what a brilliant man- but enough of that. He was unique and perfect as the spearhead of the obnoxious clan.

This movie does not make the common mistake of relying on well known actors and letting the script fend for itself. The concept, writing, acting, and unusual twists are well crafted. Everyone did his job.

Except that distribution company. Does anybody have their address?

Greedy tells the simple story of a family who desperately crave their Uncle's (Kirk Douglas) massive fortune.From that simple premise,the script writers and the actors deliver one of the funniest comedies I've ever seen.The Mcteague family,which includes the late Phil Hartman,Ed Begley'JR and Bob Balaban,are one of the most believable families ever committed to celluloid.Let's face it a lot of us hate our families.We hate having family get together's,we sometimes get jealous of each other and try to outdo each other,well that's the kind of family we're talking about.The scenes where the relatives trade insults with each other are hysterical.Michael J.Fox plays another nephew of Joe and gives a typically naturally funny performance.He and Douglas don't share the screen until about half an hour into it,but when they do get together,their sparky banter is consistently funny.

I wish they would make more comedies like this nowadays.Most mainstream comedies now seem to be filled with stupid,over the top characters with beyond ridiculous situations.Most of the comedy in this is in the dialogue,although there are some hilarious physical moments but they're never stupid,just laugh out loud funny.The premise is slightly believable because I believe that we all have what it takes to become very greedy individuals,even if we might not like to admit it.Hell,we might not even notice it.

Greedy easily ranks as one of my favourite comedies and is a laugh riot from start to finish.And has their ever been a sexier woman on screen than Olivia D,Abo in this movie?