Modern Problems

This movie is not Chase's best but well worth watching for any of his fans. Some of the things he does with his powers make me laugh just thinking about them. Two highlights in particular are the restaurant scene and the ballet scene.

Dabney Coleman plays almost the same type of character as in "Nine To Five" and Nell Carter plays a hilarious voodoo lady!

If you could go back in time to 1981 and you wanted to go see a movie, and let's say Stripes and Neighbors were both sold out, I'd recommend Modern Problems.

Do not take this movie seriously! It is not a Hollywood masterpiece but it has some very funny scenes.

This is a satisfying movie to watch if you ever wanted revenge after being dumped.

Sheesh, I have read a lot of the reviews posted here and many are unfavorable...bad acting, poor directing, (not so) special effects, mono sound, blah photography....so I understand that after I post my (favorable) review I will probably not be able to run successfully for high public office. Of course, that deal was sealed long ago...its only a matter of time until they dig up and publish my history of my porn site visits in Google archives...so what the heck, here goes.

I could NOT stop laughing. Did the other reviews mention casting? It is brilliant...who better to cast as a moody, feckless scorned lover (who happens to be an air traffic controller) than Chevy Chase...add to his performance that of Mitch Kreindel as the more feckless foil and you have a recipe for doubled-over laughter that would make you glad you wore your depends that day, if only they had them back in the 80's when this film was first screened. I loved the telekinesis device, especially the moment when an airplane ashtray complete with roaring engines and laden with cigarette butts, flies across the airport employee lounge and crashes in flames into a wall poster featuring some alpine peak. This is our first clue that Chevy has developed special powers, the rest is charming and fun (thanks to the great cast including Dabney Coleman, Mitch Kreindel, Patti D'Arbanville, and Nell Carter). Detractors will say (have said) otherwise. All that critical nit picking is only detail. Years later, when I think of this film, I smile. How bad can that be?

Being a Chevy Chase fan I might cut this one a little more slack, but even so there's no denying there's more cold side-effects than are hot ones in this early, but quite minor leading Chase vehicle (which two years later the very successful and iconic 'Vacation' would follow).

Coming from the feature is a cruel, rude and mean-spirited vibe (which was done better in Martin Scorsese's 1985 dark comedy 'After Hours') that sees Chase in quite a dreary cloud of sappiness and finding himself in one degrading mishap after another and to cap it off his girlfriend has just left him because of his clingy nature. One night while driving his car behind a truck, the context in the tanker (nuclear waste) ends up on him giving the abilities of telekinesis and a nice green glow. He then begins use this power in ridding any sort of obstacles that get in the way of reuniting with his ex-girlfriend (which is beautifully played by Patti D'Arbanville).

With a better script (which includes plenty of sexual innuendo), it could have been so much more, but while the cast (featuring Dabney Coleman, Nell Carter, Mary Kay Place and Brian Doyle-Murray) do the best. The one-joke script lets them down. The humour is mainly off the mark, as it never rises above the superfluous material and characters are not particularly engaging (especially Chase's loathsome character). It's a story were the humour contributes, rather than just being there for the sake of it, however it's a awkward mess of staged ideas and plastered visual gags. The special effects are modest, pacing is flat, style seems bland and the film looks quite murky. There's a real lack of passion, but director Ken Shapiro is saved by a few amusing (brisk, but enjoyable) comedic inclusions. But in the end these peculiar touches just weren't enough.

Far from a laugh-riot with a little too much dead space, but 'Modern Problems' remains barely a passable throwaway.

I never really got into this movie, it's more strange than it is funny. And Chevy wasn't his usual self either, he was way to morose and distant to really side with his character or empathise with him in any way.

Chevy plays Max Fielder, an air-traffic controller who's life is constantly in the toilet and bad luck follows him everywhere. He's very paranoid and possessive over his girlfriend, so much so that she dumps him for some total dork.

On his way home from a disastrous night out his car is sprayed with radioactive gunk from a leaky government truck. He is soon blessed/cursed with telekinetic abilities, which he uses to get revenge on those who make his life miserable.

It could have been really fun but it's just...weird. Ken Shapiro (who?) does not have the same edge in his direction as Harold Ramis, Michael Ritchie or John Landis and he doesn't know how to fully use Chevy's brand of humor. There are some laughs to be had though, but their not so memorable.

The DVD is in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen but it's mostly all shot in soft focus so there's nothing outstanding here. The sound is plain old Mono and it's alright if nothing else, though the dialogue has very heavy use of ADR. A trailer and TV spot are included. Oh...and that theme song playing over the menu, opening and closing credits? Yuck!

For whatever reason, many people abhor this movie. Hence, my need to provide you with an alternative opinion. First, don't watch it expecting belly laughs as you will be, at the least, very disappointed. The modern problems confronting Chevy Chase in 1981 are still for many the problems of today - the problems of love, hate, jealousy, and revenge. But don't start thinking this is a heavy or serious movie disguised as a comedy. It is in fact a comedic journey of self-discovery that one man endures - with a little help from some nuclear waste.

Guys: It is worth watching if for no other reason than to watch Barry (Mitch Kreindel) get his just desserts in the restaurant.

Girls: It is worth watching if for no other reason than to see how true love can obliterate a man's insecurities.

I have to mention Dabney Coleman because I think he gives one of his best ever comedic performances. He's not too far removed from the part he played as the Boss in 9 to 5. And it is fun to watch him get his come-uppance.

All in all, this is not a great movie, granted. But I could think of a lot worse ways to spend two hours on a Sunday afternoon.