Making Mr. Right

This is a fantastic film, it really is. The director took a risk in casting a relatively unknown actress (Magnuson) in a lead role, but that risk paid off - she turned in a faultless, feisty performance, and I really believed that she was a top notch confidant businesswoman whose love life was a mess. John Malkovich is equally good, and it is so nice to see him cast against type and doing comedy for a change - and two roles to boot - which he manages very well. A far cry from "Dangerous Liaisons", Malkovich works hard to give the android depth and character, when Ulysses could have easily become so two-dimensional. Instead we have the pleasure of watching him grow and gradually develop the emotions and human characteristics that we take for granted, so that if you rewind and watch how Ulysses was at the beginning, he will seem completely different. Equally, Dr Peters, though arrogant and dispassionate, does evoke some sympathy and compassion with the audience. In an ironic turn, watch how machinelike Jeff seems in comparison to Ulysses towards the end, you will be surprised!

Brilliant! The scene at the wedding when Ulysses tells Frankie he loves her was perfect and particularly moving.

If there were more genuine laugh-out-loud moments in this film, it could have achieved more commercial success. OR, if it hadn't been pitched to audiences as a straight comedy, it could have achieved later status over time as a cult film. This is the approach I think the producers should have taken. This would have made a great indie(rather than a mainstream release by the fledgling Orion Pictures) with Ann Magnuson still as the star. Have the actors play it straight as a character study and let the subtle natural comedy shine through. Laurie Metcalf's dingy character would have to be dismissed or toned down a bit, but otherwise this would work with the same quirky charm that made Mystic Pizza (released the following year) a success.

As it is, the film is sweet more than it is funny. And it works thanks to John Malkovich's great dual performances and Magnuson's ability to carry a film (the only time she's been allowed to do so before or since--pity). Believe it or not, this was the film in which I discovered them both, and they should still be proud of having it on their resumes, even with all they went on to accomplish.

I shouldn't be too hard on Orion, though. After all, they did put out "The Silence of the Lambs", but they also let "Blue Sky" sit on a shelf until they went belly-up and another studio had to release it four years after it was completed. The only flaw is not in this film itself, but in the way it was marketed and what I as an audience member expected going into it. This film deserves rediscovery--and if it gets it, there's the added bonus of '80s nostalgia in the fashions and some of the dialogue.

An bright, smart, beautiful woman named Frankie Stone (Ann Magnuson) is public relations executive. She been hired by a huge technology company to "humanaize" their latest work. An dorky, curious, android named Ulysses (John Malkovich). Which Ulysses is been trained to be an astronaut. Ulysses is the likeness of a cold-hearted scientist named Jeff Peters (Also played by Malkovich). At first, Frankie finds her latest assignment to be truly strange. As she gets to know Ulysses much better than Peters, she slowly falls in love with Ulysses! Ulysses starting to be more curious about the human life than being an astronaut. Which Peters is absolutely furious, since it taken him years to train Ulysses and drives him crazy that Ulysses only wants to know about love!

Directed by Susan Seidelman (Cookie, Desperately Seeking Susan, She-Devil) made an amusing romantic comedy with superb comic performances by Malkovich and Magnuson. "Making Mr. Right" was an flop, when it was released in 1987. But the movie did went on to have an loyal cult following. It is fun to watch Malkovich in a charming, extremely funny and touching role. Which it is rare for Malkovich. Magnuson is certainly an knockout in her role. Glenne Headly does have some very amusing moments as Stone's best friend and Laurie Metcalf does have some good moments as the annoying woman in Peters' life.

DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1) transfer (also in Pan & Scan) and an good Dolby 2.0 Surround Sound. DVD's only feature is the original theatrical trailer. In a way, "Making Mr. Right" is a odd romantic comedy with some original effective moments that makes this movie unique. The movie has an great if unusual ending as well. Die-fans of Malkovich certainly should check the movie out. Great use of "The Turtles" song titled "Happy Together" at the end. "Making Mr. Right" is certainly an curio. (****/*****).

7 April 2010. This likable android becomes more human sci fi scenario offers Malkovich an opportunity to act multi-dimensionally as well as provide both comedic and some endearing emotional tenderness. Never completely over the top, this somewhat predictable storyline is pretty basic but with a snappy soundtrack and decent script, the pacing and editing, continuity make for an entertaining, fun, and feel-good experience. The movie while never probing into any depth, does offer some reflection on humanity and love. There are a few plot points that don't seem to have resolution (like Frankie Stone's sister's ultimate disposition), an abrupt cut away from Frankie Stone's climatic embarrassment as well as somewhat of a under-developed segment on the androids coming out. Overall, though this is decent, above average sci fi comedy with a heart (Wizard of Oz style and all).

Frankie Stone (Ann Magnuson) is a modern woman in Miami. She's in public relations and is tired of boyfriend/client politician Steven Marcus. Her mother keeps bothering her about her sister's wedding. Her latest client is repressed scientist Jeff Peters (John Malkovich). He has created the Ulysses android which looks exactly like him. The program is in danger of losing government funding. Ulysses has never seen a woman and Frankie starts teaching him social graces before presenting him on a talk show. Her best friend Trish (Glenne Headly) arrives to stay with her after Trish's soap actor husband left her.

The premise is somewhat cute. This is a rom-com where the successful female lead can't find a good man. Ann Magnuson is not a big rom-com actress. A bigger actress could probably make this work better. Malkovich is a stiff scientist and a learning robot. He's fine but not a hunky lead. I don't think any of the jokes are working. Frankie is a nice character but this isn't that funny.