The Best of Times

I have always liked this film ever since I saw it when I was a teenager. It wasn't a hit and no one really saw it but it is the kind of film that grows on me every time I see it. It is a predictable but winning little comedy about the desire that one might have to relive and redo mistakes in their past.

It stars Robin Williams and Kurt Russell Jack and Reno. They are friends since high school and played football. William dropped a perfect pass in a game that his team would have won against an arch rival. He is haunted by that drop. He is living in the past, thinking that his life would be better if only he would have caught the pass. Kurt Russell was the star QB in high school but is now a van painting specialist who has a wife that wants to leave him. Hack gets the idea of replaying the fame so that he could try to correct his past. Williams is very funny as Jack, and Kurt Russell is very good as Reno. They have great chemistry. The whole thing about playing the game is standard come back stuff but the charm of this film is that it's very well acted by all and sweet. It has no.orher pretentions than that and it works on that level. It is really the kind of nice comedy that isn't really made these days.

Grade: B

Why did this movie fail commercially? It's got a sharp script (by Ron Shelton) and great performances by Kurt Russell and, especially, Robin Williams, in a brilliant manic nerd turn that's different from any of his other work. A great renter.

I remember one day I was sitting around the house, bored. I saw that a movie was coming on and that it had Kurt Russell and Robin Williams, so I thought I ought to check it out. It was one of those great moments where I was unexpectedly greeted with a really fun, charming movie.

Both Russell and Williams give funny performances, but their characters also feel pretty real. The girls are also quite believable and fun to watch. The football scenes are funny, but when it's not making you laugh, it seems genuine. I also felt drawn into this little town called "Taft". Here's this little town that seems quite small with not a lot to do, yet I found something enthralling about it. No doubt the characterizations are a big plus for the film. I highly recommend this movie, whether you like football or not because the cast and director really make it work.

Sure, my rating is higher than average I'm sure; but fun is fun.

Robin Williams & Kurt Russell are the key reasons this movie is fun.

Williams' neuroticism (mostly stemming from his failure to catch a pass in high school); is very funny.

Since that fateful day, his failure has consumed by him. Williams makes it funny though.

To some degree, this is a football movie. To a much greater degree; it's the story of a man who will go to ANY lengths to redeem himself (some 15 years later.).

And where does he get the idea on how to redeem himself? From the hooker he regularly visits but has never had sex with.

Wives Palance & Reed, both foxy & awesome, are both dissatisfied with their husbands, but love them. Their roles are as critical as Robin & Kurt's. The wives leverage over their hubbys' weaknesses is also pretty funny.

Father in law Don Moffit (Bakersfield alumni & Williams' antagonist), does a great job in a very key role, constantly taunting his son in law for his inability to catch a pass.

The revitalization of the city (Taft), is a big part of the flick. Williams character (and his natural energy), pull it off well. And Robin's character pulls out all the stops in order to pull the entire town into his way of thinking, albeit, often, by some below board shenanigans.

This is a funny movie, but mostly, just fun.

A decades long keeper in our library; our (now adult) kids love it as well.

Highly recommend.

Bob R.

Have you ever in your life, gone out for a sport's activity, tried your best, and then found yourself in an important segment of it, where for a brief moment, you were given a chance to be a hero and a champion and . . . failed? I believe many of us have had that moment in our lives. This is the premise of the movie, "The Best of Times." In this story a middle age banker, named Jack Dundee (Robin Williams) suffers from the deep melancholy of a football mistake, which happened years ago, is inspired to re-play the game . . again. In order to accomplish this he must convince the once great football quarterback, Reno Hightower (Kurt Russell) to make a comeback. For Reno, who is satisfied with his present lot in life, see's no need to change the past record, which get's better as he ages. Added to both their problem is the fact years have passed and in addition, both their marriages are floundering and in need of re-vamping. Not easy when his Father-in-law (Donald Moffat) habitually reminds him of the biggest drop. Nevertheless, Dundee is persistent and will do anything to try and correct the greatest blunder of his life. Great fun for anyone wishing to enjoy their youth again. ***