Rubin and Ed

I really enjoyed Trent Harris' bizarre Mormon comedy 'Plan Ten From Outer Space' (no relation to Ed Wood by the way), so I was pleased when I finally managed to see this, his previous movie. Not available on DVD yet as far as I know, it's worth trying to find in the video racks. i can't say I enjoyed it as much as 'Plan Ten...' but it was still an amusing and quirky comedy. Extremely low key, not really belly laugh material, but funny. The more you like Crispin Glover ('River's Edge') and 60s veteran Howard Hesseman ('Billy Jack') the more you will enjoy 'Rubin And Ed', as the comedy is mainly generated from their relationship. Hesseman plays Ed, an unsuccessful salesman who latches on to a weird slacker Rubin (Glover), desperately trying to make a sale. Rubin's beloved cat has recently died and he is searching for just the right resting place. Ed reluctantly assists him on his quest, and before you know it they get lost in the desert. Then things start to go downhill. Glover and Hesseman are both in fine form throughout. The rest of the cast are largely unknowns, apart from Karen Black ('Five Easy Pieces') as Hesseman's estranged wife. (Black also appears in 'Plan Ten From Outer Space') I enjoyed seeing her again as she is a most underrated actress, and I also was amused by the movies running gag involving Andy Warhol. Humour is a very personal thing, and this movie may not appeal to everybody, but I liked it.

I presume this film to have been a "work of love" for Crispin Glover and Howard Hessman - two actors reveling in their trade just for the fun of it and for the personal challenge. The result is both hilarious (I don't use that word lightly) and gratifying, as the two never let us down, but sustain their wonderful best to the end. The budget must have been super-lean, yet the work is crafted to fit within it, resulting in a piece of comic theater that should even provide the two actors themselves with nostalgic sidesplits in years to come.

This film brought to my mind visions of "Rozmarné Léto" (Capricious Summer, by Jiri Menzel) for its humanist humor, and, less obviously, Ataque Verbal, by Albaladejo and crew, for its acting virtuosity - though by Albaladejo, I would sooner recommend Cielo Abierto to anyone unfamiliar with his work.

At first viewing, though I felt the acting good, I considered it narrow in scope. On second viewing, the depth of the characters' problems struck me: one a virtual agoraphobic recluse with little future ahead, the other a whimsical business misfit whose wife's left him. Neither has a clear view of how to escape his predicament, but both see through - or have no choice but to wrestle with - much of the phoneyness of Americana materialism and mercenary dreams.

I just wish this film were more available - and on DVD - I'd like to buy several copies to send to friends.

My memories of this movie date to when Crispin appeared on the Letterman show dressed as Rubin. Totally in character, he attempted to kick Dave in the head with his four inch shoes and I believe has never been invited back.

This movie truly is more quotable than Caddyshack. "Who's the biggest loser in this room?" Rubin: "Raise your hand, Ed." But my favorite line has got to be when Ed finally drags Rubin to that stupid seminar and claims "Car's back, everything's cool."

If you like to laugh, see this movie. It's an all-time cult classic.

Now and then, despite any reservations your brain might have, a movie gotcha. Sometimes you have to see it a dozen times first. Then various lines start to spring from your mouth and you can't and don't want to stop. It doesn't make any sense: the movie is *different* (like pet iguanas and Carmen Ghias), which isn't bad, and trivial (like Who was the Head of the Class? Who shoveled the coal on The Dead Man's train?), and just plain stupid (like Andy Warhol's art, or land so radioactive it'll kill you in 30 seconds, or expensive real estate seminars).

But Oh Lord! for some reason you're tickled pink to see it... every time, you're happy as a clam and pleased as punch. Never mind that when you watch it, everyone thinks you're a fraud failure. Never mind that your cat-loving friends find it repulsive. Why are some people compelled to reinact The Rocky Horror over and over? Why why why why why you may echo?

This movie is "cooler" than some. Cooler movies ask hard stuff, like Who Am I? Who was Mahler? Who was Dr. Scholl, anyways? Drink deep. And remember to be at Room 71 at 6 o'clock, if you want to climb higher and higher.

This is a must for a Crispin Glover fan. I have no idea why it is difficult to find. It is a gem. Great story and very funny. If you don't think it's funny then you must not get it. You know; one of those. My review did not contain 10 lines of text so I must add more. I really really think you should see this movie. Dahhhhhhhh. It is still not long enough. What a stupid requirement that IMDb has. Why? Okay, I will type more meaningless praddle. are you happy now>? No? Still not enough. They want more and more and more. Okay, this is really great! Thanks for listineing Please show your appreciation at the offering plate. Gem stone