The 4th Tenor

Even though I'm a huge Rodney Dangerfield fan, I never had the chance to see this film until today since it was in limited release theatrically and the DVD is surprisingly hard to find. Now I know why: the flick just isn't any good. Dangerfield tries his best, but he can't save the uninspired directing (this was director Harry Basil's feature debut and it shows), poor production values, and sluggish pacing. The supporting cast of the usually reliable Annabelle Gurwitch, Robert Davi, and Charles Fleischer is disappointing with each given little to do. However, the first twenty minutes or so are quite funny with Dangerfield's signature quips popping up almost non-stop. Once Dangerfield starts singing, the viewing experience becomes a drag. The 4th Tenor is easily Dangerfield's worst. Basil also directed Dangerfield in Back by Midnight,a much better collaboration between the two. 3/10

This is a very predictable romantic comedy. Although he is the main character, we see very little of the Rodney we have come to know and love. We see so little of Vincent Schiavelli, its hard to tell its him. The operatic ingenue-diva, early on, is certainly fetchingly sensual, but her portrayal of a devious wench is unconvincing by any measure. Generally, the acting by all parties is tepid.

There are a few beautiful landscapes of Italy in the movie; watch for them. Sadly, most of the action is shot on a soundstage.

The operatic elements are wonderful, but all too short. The fans of opera will play this soundtrack over and over, and use the DVD as a coaster for their iced latte.

Lose the DVD, save the Soundtrack.

I saw this movie on TV tonight and I really enjoyed it, even though I'm not a big fan of opera. Rodney Dangerfield was brilliant as Lupo, with his sharp wit and decent nature. It's quite a shame that he's not here anymore. What I also liked, is that everything worked out just great in the end. There were also some attractive women in T4thT, namely Gina (Annabelle Gurwitch) and Rosa (Anita De Simone). The whole wine thing was pretty interesting as well. If there's some soft drink of some sort (as I'm not too keen on anything alcohol-ish) to make a guy more attractive to women or a good sportsman, someone should let me know (ha-ha-ha)(big laugh). I would recommend this movie to most people, and I would certainly like to watch it again.

Towards the end of his life, Rodney Dangerfield starred in (and sometimes also wrote) several low budget movies that either went straight to video or had a limited release beforehand, this movie being one of them. It was quietly released and hasn't been rediscovered, and I think I know why. While the production values are okay for a made-for-video cheapie (though there are obvious cost-cutting actions like filming on studio backlots and trying to pass the California countryside as Italy), and Dangerfield in his 80s still has energy (though it's obvious when a stunt double is used), there is a problem with the screenplay he co-wrote - it's not very funny. It lacks the zing and outrageousness associated with Dangerfield in the past. In fact, it seems to have been aimed at a family audience. That wouldn't be bad if the movie was funny, but it isn't. It's pretty predictable, both with its story and humor. One surprise about the movie is that it was produced by Joseph Merhi, who earlier had made a name for himself with exciting made-for-video action flicks. Watch one of those instead.

totally predictable and really cheap movie in every way but one and that's opera. lovely opera, lovely arias and everything else becomes lovely that would otherwise stink. some genuinely good jokes, however, which merits another 2 stars.

lovely scenery, lovely italy, lovely....further enforces the extra 2 stars.

And then we have Rodney Dangerfield, who seems to be unable to do anything wrong. That man has funny-bones for sure.

The story here is ridiculous but who cares? For anyone who hates opera this film is a disaster but for us opera-lovers or, should I say "aria-lovers" (because a long opera with no good arias is some serious pain in the ... whatever).

The only bad film I've seen with Rodney Dangerfield so far is "The Godson" and that was with Dom DeLuise as well! Strange movie that one - everybody looked as if they would rather be sleeping.

Here everybody looks as if they would rather be in Italy and I do not blame them.