RichTC2

Billy Crystal's directorial debut was not a big success mainly due to the fact that people had no idea how multi-faceted he had the ability to be. This is not a comedy. This is a very moving drama about a comedian and his life, both public and private. There are several highly insightful moments and some real movie magic present. I assume Crystal had help with his directing, as there are a few crafty camera shots. I personally don't mind that most critics overlooked this movie, but I am very glad that the Academy recognized David Paymer, as Crystal's watching-from-the-wings brother, with a Best Supporting Actor nomination. He and Crystal play off each other wonderfully. They act so much like brothers throughout the years of the film, Paymer's last name might actually be Crystal.

Helen Hunt, Ron Silver, and Jerry Orbach have good roles, albeit fairly small. There are also several cameos, including Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel. They co-wrote the movie with Crystal, and this duo have their names on Happy Days episodes, as well as a slew of films. This information is helpful to the humor when they appear as a couple of goofy young writers.

This fine film is not without a couple of drawbacks. The make-up job on Crystal and Paymer in their old age is far from realistic. This aspect of the film needed Rick Baker. The other item that detracts this from being a truly great film is that it is essentially a biography of a fictional person who isn't a very nice guy. The movie has a few moments where it wants the viewer to feel sorry for him for ruining his own life. To me, however, it is great storytelling and wonderful acting. It is sad, poignant, and, upon first viewing in 1992, nothing I expected from the mind of Billy Crystal.

If you've never seen this picture because you have heard too many negative things, please give it a viewing. You could very well be surprised.

This film could truly be the finest piece of work ever put together by Disney, which is certainly no small task. This wonderful movie literally has it all. A classic story, delightful songs, superb animation, among several more attributes. The opening narration, eloquently spoken by David Ogden Stiers, who also portrays Cogsworth, sends shivers down my spine, and the magic never lets up. A nearly perfect film that can be viewed over and over, no matter what age you are.

This is a very enjoyable movie. The entire cast works extremely well together, with Carol Burnett, Christopher Reeve, John Ritter, and Michael Caine standing out.

The movie is essentially broken into three parts. All three parts are showing the first act of the play they are attempting to perform, with Caine as the director of the bunch. The first showing, we get a pretty clear idea of what the first act is supposed to look like, even though it is interrupted a few times. The second time takes place behind stage, so we only get to hear what's happening in front of the audience. We hear their mistakes, and we see them all behind the action. This part is truly funny, and is virtually flawless. The third part is back from the original point of view, and they can't get anything right. Caine's reaction to this is great to watch.

There are several running gags throughout, and many things to catch. This is not a blockbuster movie, but there are definitely several laugh out loud moments.