The Tall Guy

Now, I have to say that I went to see this based on the review of Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, both of whom could not get through a sentence without breaking into laughter when discussing several key scenes. I had never seen either one of them behave that way before, so I went out--this is, what, twelve years ago?--and plunked down my $5 and proceeded to laugh my butt off for two hours. I found both the sex scene and the scene of the musical to be minor gems, and can't recommend this film highly enough, particularly if you are A) a Jeff Goldblum fan, B) an Emma Thompson fan C) a Rowan Atkinson fan, or D) a musical theatre aficionado. You will laugh about the musical theater scene for years to come, particularly if you think Andrew Lloyd Webber is the antichrist, as I do.

Jeff Goldblum plays a gawky, downtrodden American actor living in England who plays straight man to an obnoxious, unpleasant comedian. Rowan Atkinson is the obnoxious, unpleasant comedian who torments Jeff. Emma Thompson is a pretty, deadpan nurse who gives Jeff's life hope and meaning when he falls in love with her and vice versa. After parting ways with Atkinson, Jeff lands the lead role in "Elephant!", a musical version of "The Elephant Man", in which he plays, of course, the Elephant Man. Jeff's eternal happiness is nearly thwarted by a cute co-star who threatens his romance with Emma Thompson. Will Jeff come out on top? Of course he does. This isn't "The Fly" after all.

Too long but still very funny, with Jeff well cast as the title character. Atkinson is a great antagonist and Emma Thompson has her moments of inspired deadpan humor. And of course, the actual "Elephant" sequences are a riot.

"Vengeance shall BE MINE!" Jeff as Dexter King, AKA: The Tall Guy.

Wow -- talk about polarization. I watched this 15 year old movie for the first time this past weekend and I thought it was terrific, gentle fun. Then I looked at the comments and found that it was tied with "Citizen Kane" with some viewers, but with "Plan 9 from Outer Space" with the rest. What is there in this little film that should polarize everyone so?

Rowan Atkinson behaving like a creep? Emma Thompson's 15-years-ago tush? Jeff Goldblum doing a pretty nice job as a vague almost-actor? I think I will join the polarization here and state that I choose not to go to a party with those "one star" people. I'll bet they just discuss poetry and stuff.

How did I like this movie? Let me count the ways? 1. Funniest damned sex scene I can recall. 2. Landlady-Carmen and friends -- what do you people mean, unnecessary character? 3. "Elephant!" Is that show coming soon to a theatre near me? 4. Weak ending -- who cares?

"The Tall Guy" is an enjoyable little trifle, featuring Jeff Goldblum as an American actor in London. Rowan Atkinson is hilarious as a conceited bugger, and Emma Thompson plays Goldblum's love-interest. An interesting film, not a classic by any stretch, but worth ninety minutes.

I think this comedy express well the British humor,it's soft,lovely and never rude.Jeff Goldblum ,is Dexter King,an American actor who survives with many problems in London playing in minor roles ,his life is everything but brilliant until he meets a nurse and falls in love with her..Goldblum is really good in this role and can express really well his comic side and once again shows to be a complete actor able to play different roles. Some scenes of the movie are very nice like when he's fired by the unbearable star of the theatre (Rowan Atkinson before being Mr.Bean) or when he asks about his look to a blind man.Emma Thompson is also good but nothing new..we're used to seeing her always perfect ! Even the rest of the cast is good,from the weird Dexter's landlady to the wise blind man..maybe it's not a film you'll never forget but some fun is sure!