Night Shift

I was watching this for the second time on the telly when my dad came in after a hard day's work to wish me good night. He started watching, sat down and stayed transfixed to the end, finally declaring it one of the funniest films he had ever seen. I agreed with him. Then I sent him off to bed. I couldn't bear to look at those red spandex trousers for a minute longer.

NIGHT SHIFT (1982) ***1/2 Henry Winkler, Shelley Long, Michael Keaton, Richard Belzer, Clint Howard. Fast paced and funny black comedy about a prostitution ring run from a NYC morgue and odd couple attendants Winkler and Keaton (in an amazing and hysterical film debut) as their pimps. Great dialogue and sharp direction by Ron Howard in this, his first big-budgeted directorial debut*. Look sharply for Kevin Costner as a frat boy in the morgue party scene. Best line: Keaton's Billy Blazejowski: "Is this a great country or what?!" Interesting note: closing song "That's What Friends Are For" sung by Rod Stewart is the same song later sung by Elton John & co. for AIDS benefit proceeds. * I know... Howard directed previously "Grand Theft Auto" for Roger Corman, so lighten up , Francis!

Ron Howard has always been a consistantly talented director, never making a bad or even mediocre film. Even a film such as Ransom that opened to lukewarm reviews from both audience and critics is still better than your average thriller. He has a way of making lines and scenes memorable even when the script itself is only so-so. After following his career, I went back to one of his first, Night Shift which still has the magic I remember it did when I saw it way back when.

The story isn't the greatest and Shelly Long has never been an actress I've enjoyed watching but if you only want one reason to see Night Shift, Micheal Keaton is it. Here he creates what is probably one of the funniest characters I have ever seen in a movie. He is an idea man, constantly speaking them into his taperecorder and thus to his morgue co-worker Henry Winkler. Winkler "the fonz" is the total opposite of what he was in Happy Days, and therefor a perfect anchor for Keaton. If it was just Keaton, it wouldn't work, but Winkler is annoyed at Keaton, we laugh because of it.

If you do decide to watch this movie, be on the lookout for the single most hilarious scene: Keaton's analysation of the word "prostitute."

Adam Sandler and Pauly Shore can only DREAM of being as funny as Michael Keaton in "Night Shift." Keaton's hilarious performance only serves to underscore the fact that he's never been near as funny since.

Sure, the movie will never be in the AFI's top 100 list. But when I was 18, a loony pre-college me dreamed of being as funny as Billy Blaizejowski, Keaton's character in the film. I credit the script for great lines, but I doubt anyone could have made an annoying character like Billy loveable - except Keaton.

Henry Winkler does a bang-up job with a straight role that affords audiences little to get excited about. He is completely convincing as an in-over-his-head nebbish with a nervous stomach, and deserves credit for pulling it off without seeming whiny. We identify with Winkler's character even though we can see how cowardly he is.

The plot, of course, is contrived, as is any plot involving hookers with hearts of gold. It's hard to see Shelly Long as a prostitute, but she plays it gamely and has fun with the role.

I recommend this film if you have any craziness to your sense of humor, or just if you're a male between the ages of 17 and 25. That's the target audience, but even in my mid-30's, I still find Keaton's performance refreshing and laugh-out-loud funny.

Very funny comedy from Ron Howard. Winkler and Keaton are a great duo and they team up very successfully from what I see. The whole premise is completely absurd, but you never know, it could happen. Nonetheless, engaging performances and great humor serve up a very good film. 9/10