Coupe de Ville

Coupe de Ville is just one of those films that you like, but can't put your finger on quite why! The direction - by Roth - is straightforward and not terribly unique. The script is just the right side of sentimental. The actors are by no means A-League big-hitters. But this is quite possibly what makes this film so good. It is a film that you watch with absolutely no expectations. By the end of it however you know that what you have just watched, has touched some part of you that has not been touched for a long time. The trio of Stern, Dempsey and Gross are nigh on perfect. The beauty in their acting is, that they act just like brothers. They feel right as a bickering trio of siblings. But the real boon of this film lies in Alan Arkin. So often Alan Arkin has simply played a variation on a theme. But hear the bronchial tones of his voice are given a stage perfectly suited to them. It is with Arkin that the real emotional punch of the movie lies, and working like a super-extended episode of 'The Wonder Years', it suckers you every time. The pacing is perfect, the cast truly 'stellar', the music absolutely incredible. Besides I never would have known that 'Louie, Louie' was a sea-shanty, and for that alone this deserves viewing. A hidden gem.

I have watched "Coupe de Ville" nearly twenty times and I have loved it every single time. This is a textbook example of how great acting, a brilliant screen play, simple dialog, and clever plot twists all work together to form a wonderful movie. Every character is brilliant and original. It is hard to believe that I can still laugh at the same lines long after other more popular movies leave me bored and unsatisfied. The scene with the brothers arguing over the garbled lyrics to "Louie, Louie" has to be one of the best written and inventive five minutes of film ever shot. The relationship between the father and his sons is somewhat akin to that in "Big Fish." And the final scene brings tears to my eye every single time I watch it--the message and the subtle emotion is among the best ever.

I cannot recommend this movie more highly.

A trio of feuding brothers who haven't seen each other for five years reluctantly embark on a road trip orchestrated by their dad. Their mission is to simply fetch a vintage Coupe de Ville from Detroit and deliver it to the family home in Florida - then dad plans to present it to his wife as a birthday present. Tensions run high as the three brothers, one military - one dreamer - and one rebellious teen, must survive each other and ensure the car comes to no harm or face the consequences.

Coupe de Ville is directed by Joe Roth and stars Arye Gross, Daniel Stern & Patrick Dempsey as the brothers, Alan Arkin & Rita Taggart as the parents & Annabeth Gish drops in as the love interest angle. Though holding few surprises with the basic conceptual formula, it's a film that can brighten up the darkest of days and really deserves to be better known. Anyone who has been involved with sibling rivalry can identify with the brothers from the outset, whilst the ultimate revelations of the narrative hit all the emotional beats.

We open with a sequence of the boys as youngsters, naturally they are fighting in the bedroom. Fast forward twelve years and they undertake this journey that has cunningly been set up by the father (a delightful turn from Arkin), cue arguments and a number of humorous set ups executed skilfully by Messrs Stern, Gross and Dempsey. Along the way they of course run into problems and obviously encounter the usual array of interesting characters that tend to fill out the "road movie" genre. Fun as it is though, pic is not all about the comedy, it has something to say, and it's possibly through the more serious and poignant moments that Coupe de Ville soars a little higher than your basic coming of age picture.

The cast are strong right through and Roth has a very easy on the eye directing style, while the soundtrack is top dollar for those into 50s and 60s rockers. There's no new ground being found here, something that has in the past been used by notable critics to beat it over the head with. Yet it's an easy film to fall in love with, it has a lot of resonance to those in tune with the themes pulsing away, and ultimately it's as funny as much as it is a worthy message picture. Go on, give it a go if you get the chance, it just might strike the same chord with you as it did with myself. 8/10

Let me start by saying how i feel about the movie and what i think of some of the comments i have read. I happen to love Coupe De Ville very much. I am the youngest of five sons so I can relate to this film on so many levels. When I first seen it I kept relating to all the scenarios, all the bickering and all the heartache. it is a simple and truly honest film which i feel is extremely underrated. I have five copies all in different stages of condition, but I cannot for the life of me understand why it has not yet been released on DVD. With all the lemons that are released each week, Coupe still remains unconverted. As for some of the comments which I have read, I feel that some people may be a little too critical of the story. What were you expecting, an epic, historic account of a legendary world event with "Oscar night" written all over it! It is just meant to take you away for an hour and a half and help forget your daily troubles, and hopefully put a smile on your face in the process. Try to take this film for what it is, an innocent, funny and heartfelt look into the lives of a not so functional family eventually being brought together by unavoidable, undying love. Let me finish by saying that it is probably not everyone's cup of tea, but just give it a chance, you might surprise yourself. I highly recommend Coupe De Ville!

This is one of those films that slipped by virtually unnoticed. It's a shame because this film is one of best comedies I have seen.

Stern, Dempsey and Gross are excellent as the squabbling brothers who drive a Cadillac Coupe de Ville from Motor City to Miami for their mother's birthday.

They get into lots of scrapes along the way, most on the actual car. Their fight about the Louie Louie song is a classic.

Funny and poignant. 10/10.