La fortuna bussa alla porta... il problema è farla entrare

I'm the first to be skeptical of any movie like this. In fact, most movies I watch these days involves at least one visit to IMDb.COM first. But some movies, no matter how accurately they may be reviewed for technical merits just can't review the sentimental or personal value they may have to you. This is one of them. Oh, trust me - I've watched my share of movies like this that have left me more than high and dry - but this one is different (at least for me). I've always felt Dana Carvey was a special comedian and has never reached his full potential as an actor. However poor the writing, or perhaps his acting, the movie is engaging enough to keep this harden skeptic enthralled for greater than 90mins. That's saying a lot.

This movie will surely not go down in history as a one of the 'greats' of comedy - but is well worth an evening if you're just looking for something funny, heart-touching and romantic.

This 1990 film was the first of two attempts by Dana Carvey to parlay his success on Saturday Night Live to the silver screen (Clean Slate - 1994). Carvey is better than expected, and while most of the laughs are from borderline sketch comedy better suited for television (such as his wide variety of impressions), his talent is great enough to make this movie watchable, and even enjoyable at times. The plot and script, while contrived and full of holes, does manage to serve it's purpose by moving the story along and getting Carvey from one punchline to the next. Carvey's efforts are even more significant given the notably weak performances turned in by the rest of the cast, including the usually adequate Robert Loggia.

opportunity knocks is very funny. the first time i saw this movie back in 1990 or maybe early 1991 i didn't really like it that much. but then i saw it again in 1997 or early 1998. i loved it. i guess i couldn't understand this movie when i first saw it.i was only 8 or 9 when i first saw it.but now i understand it very well.all the jokes i get.it's carvey's best movie! it's very funny.it has a great plot to it.just all around great.i give this movie ***1/2 out of ****

I just saw the film "Opportunity Knocks" for the first time last night. I've seen it twice since then. This film just proves how talented Dana Carvey is. He provided laughs and fun throughout the movie.

Being a fan of "Saturday Night Live" since the first time I saw it, Dana Carvey has been the funniest (in my opinion) ever to star on the show. During the movie, Mr. Carvey portrays his oh-so-famous impersonation of George Bush (no one could do it better).

I think "Opportunity Knocks" is a great film and you can't watch it without smiling at the things Mr. Carvey does. So, for a fun time and lotsa laughs, you should go see it.

To cut to the chase, "Opportunity Knocks" was funny about half-way through, but then it became tiresome and predictable.

Dana Carvey plays Eddie Farrell, the world's most successful conman. Well, not really. He's a good conman, but he isn't rich. He and his co-conman Lou (Todd Graff) have been down on their luck lately. But things really escalate downwards when a vicious loan shark comes looking for the men. So they rob a home to get some quick cash. While they do so, an answering machine on a desk clicks on. Eddie and Lou listen to find out that not only is the owner away for a month or two, but that the person supposed to be watching the house has called saying he won't be able to come over to the home, due to a new job in another part of the country. So Eddie and Lou relax in the rich man's home until Milt Malkin (Robert Loggia) shows up--president of a hair-blowing company. Milt is a distant relative of the homeowner, yet he has never seen him before. Therefore, Milt mistakes Eddie for Jonathan, the owner of the home. Eddie, thinking this is all great, plays as the houseowner...and the shenanigans begin...

"Opportunity Knocks" is one of those movies with a decent premise, and some typical eighties' comedies laughs. But even the half-baked laughs soon evaporate as the plot becomes tiring and thin. There gets to be a certain point of Eddie pretending to be someone he isn't that becomes unfunny.

"Opportunity Knocks" is Dana Carvey's first main starring role. We know what this means. Somewhere in there they're going to fit in a Bush impersonation. Luckily, they do it quite well, and it proves to be one of the most interesting and amusing, if not hysterical scenes in the film.

"Opportunity Knocks," despite some average laughs, has a certain charm to it that is attracting. Perhaps it is the characters. Perhaps it is just the style of the film. I'm not sure. It's just a very charming film. Technically it is very typical, but if you look deeper it has a strange charm to it that is hard not to like. And besides, who cannot like Dana Carvey? Oops, spoke too soon--"Master of Disguise" just popped to mind.

I actually was beginning to really get into this film, before the last quarter or so that is so predictable and stereotypical for the genre that it was quite disappointing.

In the end, "Opportunity Knocks" has some good potential, ultimately some good laughs, never reaches its full potential, yet is still charming and worth watching.

How's that for a confusing review?

3/5 stars -

John Ulmer