Take This Job and Shove It

I like Robert Hays, I mean come on, hes the guy from Airplane and hes a great actor. This wasn't a bad performance, but not one of his better ones (see ANY of his other work) but this movie was really kind of dull. I'll give it this, the cinematography was kind of neat and the first 20 minutes were decent but something just wasn't right. Im not mad because I paid 2 bucks for this tape but from me to you,its in alot of little pieces right now. If you're a Hays fan watch Airplane or Fifty/Fifty or anything else.

This movie is much ado about nothing. But, then, what could you expect out of Dubuque, Iowa, where nothing ever happened except the filming of F.I.S.T.? The early 1980s was a big beer-drinking time, though, with everyone partying and being an urban cowboy. This movie is basically a chance to see an early version of Bob Chandler's Bigfoot (before he was such a monster) and hear some country music. It's kind of a lighthearted, fun, partying romp. In fact, the writer very well could have written this movie in a state of intoxication. There's a scene where Robert Hays's character is supposed to throw a beer can into a trash can. Duh! Iowa beverage cans had a 5 cent deposit on them. This must have been written by someone from out of state!

While Hays has certainly done better films, during his heyday (no pun), this one stands at about a C+. Perhaps 'Airplane' was one of his top, better ones, but heck -every actor has the right to "step down" into a smaller venue. He still pulls his own here. Okay - so Hershey isn't standing firm in a strong, fem role this time. But she also holds her own. And she's allotted moments where her true talent as an actress, comes out. That's the beauty of loving Hershey. Even in a very supportive role, she still paves her own.

For the most part - this film high-fives the typical, old-day blue-collar, Midwestern, parody; which for its time, was much appreciated. Just another example of the typical condescending, stuff-shirted Corp. puff attitudes. Here, David Keith (Harry) brilliantly portrays; alongside costar Thomerson (Ray), a feast-or-famine challenge. The game is on: workplace upgrades, threats of buy-out and the mgmt. changes - none of it for the better. Harry and Ray pull together, retaining the 'working man' dignity - and bravely shoot against the grain. Their portrayal is another example of the "worker" daring to confront the "big boys"; a common post blue-collared-ghetto movement of the time.

In the end (very decently directed, and out-laid) Hays (Macklin) wises up, realizing he; and his commadarie, were nearly side-lined by the very honchos who pretended to have his back.

I just watched this film not too long ago, mainly because I am a fan of Johnny Paycheck and David Allen Coe, but also because I heard it was a pretty good comedy from the 1980s. The acting is not very memorable at all, even Robert Hays didn't seem like he wanted to be there.

The writing must have been good enough, because I remember seeing a similar film from a few years later called Gung Ho with Michael Keaton and directed by Ron Howard. There's just a lot of similarities and story parallels for that not to be a coincidence, and just outright rewritten as a car plant instead of a beer plant.

The most memorable part of the whole film was the truck race with the Monster Truck called Bigfoot featured. That is a good reason to watch this movie, and the music, if you're into country music.

I watched this film because I love the song, because I knew it took place in Iowa (where I grew up) and because I have always enjoyed movies that were entertaining without being condescending. Other than the fact that almost all the main characters sound like they live in Texas instead of Dubuque, Iowa, it's pretty much a harmless, fun, little-guy-beats-big-guy film. Robert Hayes is appropriately handsome & earnest, Barbara Hershey is appropriately girl-next-door-cute and angry/supportive. Bonus points for the monster trucks. A harmless way to spend a couple of hours, especially if you love beer. Don't miss Lacy J. Dalton & friends singing "You Can Count on Beer".