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Joe Gower (Judge Reinhold) is a likable librarian who's currently in a bit of a slump with his girlfriend having left him and being passed over once again for promotion. Joe's best friend Officer Abe Washington (Cleavant Derricks) is assigned to a dance program for charity that will be done entirely with police officers, and not wanting to deal with it calls in a favor from Joe to take his place after Joe inadvertently blew a sting operation. Joe takes on the persona of "A. Washington" and meets another cop, Rachel Wareham with whom he falls in love.

Off Beat was one of three comedies Judge Reinhold released in 1986 alongside comedy classic Ruthless People and other comedy Head Office with both Head Office and Off Beat going mostly ignored at the box office. Written by Mark Medoff, better known for more serious minded content like Children of a Lesser God, the movie was marketed as a more zany madcap hijinx comedy in line with films such as Stripes or Police Academy when it was a much more lowkey character based comedy with a romance element. The movie did get solid responses back in the day including from Roger Ebert who declared it one of the year's best comedies, but other reception seemed to have been colder and the film failed to recoup its $10 million budget petering out at $4 million. Off Beat is one of the more obscure films in Reinhold's filmography and has been mostly neglected from further home video releases or releases on digital storefronts and that's a shame because while Off Beat isn't perfect, it's a likable film with solid leads that's quite enjoyable.

Reinhold is undeniably what makes this movie. With his likable good natured simplicity he's really the perfect fit for this lovable underdog and the sequences of him dancing alongside harder edged cops Such as Joe Mantegna who make their disdain for dancing quite clear. Meg Tilly makes a nice counterpart to Reinhold and the two have believable chemistry that helps sell the core romance in the film. The movie also has a nice set of supporting actors including an early turn by John Turtoro as Reninhold's rival Pepper, Penn Jillette has fun playing Reinhold's Travis Bickle esque co-worker Norman who spouts nonsensical tirades about mailing explosives to TV stations for cancelling Family Feud of all things, and even Harvey Keitel makes an appearance as one of a pair of robbers in the climax that are played almost how you'd expect in a serious crime thriller making them a welcome point of comic contrast to the farcical nature of the material. Not every bit works as Mantegna's character feels like he's setup to be more important than he actually ends up being and some of the material surrounding Cleavant Derricks' Abe Washington character doesn't hold much water even when accounting for "comedic logic", but the movie is so likable and good natured I find it easy to recommend.

Off Beat has been unfairly forgotten and the fact that it's not available on digital storefront or current home media is disappointing. I've seen other failed comedy films from around this time that are disgustingly easy to get access to (Hot to Trot and First Family certainly come to mind) but this movie despite not being a comedy classic really should've been given more of a chance. It's not a laugh riot by any stretch, but it's a nice little movie with likable characters and a solid enough execution of a high concept.

Judge Reinhold stars as librarian Joe Gower, who owes his cop pal Abe (Cleavant Derricks) a favour after unwittingly blowing an undercover drugs bust. So when Abe is chosen by his boss to take part in a police charity dance show, he gets Joe to take his place; at first Joe is reluctant to take part, but eventually he learns to loosen up and enjoy himself, especially after falling for pretty dance partner, hostage negotiator Rachel Wareham (Meg Tilly).

A gentle, PG-rated rom-com starring a prancing Judge Reinhold finds its way into my DVD 'to watch' pile, causing me to momentarily slip into Austin Powers mode (That's not mine! I'm telling you baby, that's not mine. This sort of thing ain't my bag, baby!). Then I remember: I was given the DVD as part of a freebie job lot by a work colleague, who was moving to the States, so I feel a little bit better about myself.

I watch the film so that I can add it to my pile of films destined for the local charity shop, and am surprised to find that it isn't all that bad. Not great, mind you, and not a 'keeper' (it's still going down the charro), but pleasant enough for a one-time viewing. Don't expect any outrageous, off the wall comedy (as the blurb on the cover promises)—there isn't any (unless the sight of Reinhold in Lycra counts). Do expect some mildly amusing silliness, a spot of heartwarming romance, and lots of familiar faces (the supporting cast including Joe Mantegna, Harvey Keitel, Fred Gwynne, John Turturro, and magician Penn Jillette).

5.5/10, rounded up to 6 for IMDb.

Librarian assistant Joe Gower takes up the offer to help out his friend Abe by posing as a cop to take his place in a police dance performance, but he finds himself falling for female officer Rachel. Therefore he digs himself deeper when he starts acting like his a cop outside of the dance training to impress this lady. "Off Beat" is a pleasurably breezy, light-hearted 80s romantic comedy with plenty of familiar faces on show. The cast are indeed great, with Judge Reinhold and Meg Tilly in the leads. For me, the adorable Tilly is always a delight to watch, but she still can pack a punch. James Tolken sure finds out. A tolerable Reinhold is gawky, but likable as Gower. Loved the scenes he shares with the wise-cracking Cleavant Derricks, who plays his friend Abe. The sequence with them arguing in a change room and Derricks' final word to the shop assistant is priceless. Most of the lively support roles with character actors are spot-on and do over-shadow the leads. Harvey Keitel and Victor Argo might only have small roles towards the end, but their chemistry together was hilarious with Argo truly stealing the show. Austin Pendleton as a gun shop salesman is quite humorous too. Rocket launcher for home protection?! Joe Mantegna is a true live-wire as fellow-cop / ex-boyfriend of Tilly's character. Also dependably showing up is Mike Starr, Amy Wright, John Turturro, Penn Jillette, John Kapelos, Anthony Zerbe and Fred Gwynne. But the list still goes on. Quite a macho lot, where the script seems to sarcastically tear apart at this bravado and the dialogues are fun in nailing it. Even questioning one's own comfort, by taking a chance outside that familiar zone. Its bubblegum soundtrack gives it much added bounce. Commonplace, but endearing comedy.

"I won't hurt them. I'll kill them. "

Meek librarian (Judge Reinhold) assumes the identity of his pal (Clevant Derricks) who happens to be a police officer. The charade leads to some very mild comedy. With such a fine cast, this should have been a far better film. Unfortunately the talent of Joe Mantegna, John Turturro, Meg Tilly, Harvey Keitel, Mike Starr, Fred Gwynne, and Anthony Zerbe is badly wasted. Reinhold sandwiched between Mantegna and Tilly in the front seat of a speeding police car, while they calmly discuss their failed relationship, is the best scene. Fred Gwynne in a small part as the mayor is great, but that's about it. How could such an interesting cast wind up in such a dull comedy? - MERK

I don't usually previously see the IMDB's rating of the picture about to watch, it somehow shall affect my own assessment, turns out that unequivocable I'd accessed the IMDB's site to clarify if I'd already watched it, well I didn't, however I saw the low rating, so in the possession of this info, here I go to see it expecting the worst, along the movie this odd feeling is changing slowing, then I've figure out why OFF BEAT had received so lowest rating.

In my opinion because a neuralgic point whereof the movie touches, in manhood of the viewers, aside the offering is about a couple cops affair, behind it has a dancing contest sponsored by Police department, it sounds a g.a,y picture, it wasn't whatsoever, just implies a hint in some sequences, actually in the eighties it was so normally on those comic productions aiming for mocking of the characters in some outrageous situations, as expose along the movie.

Judge Reinhold had garnered good reviews after BEVERLY HILLS COP was high above at its period of time, Meg Tilly neither, the casting is fabulous even some actors in a shortest appearance as Fred Gwynne, Anthony Zerbe, Harvey Keitel, John Turturro Austin Pendleton, in other hand Joe Mantegna, Cleavant Derricks has enough space in the plot, it has many funny moments to share, all them bounded in a G.a.y. Mannerism, such thing made great damages on the ratings, although it were its best moments.

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First watch: 2024 / How many: 1 / Source: Youtube / Rating: 7.