My Chauffeur

One of several 80s comedies that reminds me of the old screwball classics of the 30s and 40s updated to the modern day with nudity and swearing. Deborah Foreman is a likable lead who gets good support from vets like Sean McClory, E.G. Marshall, and Howard Hesseman. Penn and Teller are less obnoxious than usual in their film debuts. Sam Jones plays arguably the most divisive character for modern viewers. I won't say why; you'll figure it out. Perhaps the most memorable part of the movie for many is the crazy rocker Catfight, played by Leland Crooke. He has the movie's most memorable line ("I want them panties!"). He was actually the one part of this I remembered in the thirty plus years or so gap between viewings. Nice soundtrack of songs by the band The Wigs. Never heard of them before but they did good work here. There's also a lovely violin piece that's used frequently. It almost seems out of place for a comedy but it really elevates the film.

I saw this movie as a kid many times on VHS. Then it seemed to vanish from my mind for decades until I rediscovered it. This is a real hidden gem for people of my generation and the younger set that still has a sense of humor. It's a fun movie that would probably be considered offensive to today's audience. But then again what isn't?

"My Chauffeur" is a charming and often overlooked comedy gem from the 1980s, and at its core is the talented Deborah Foreman, whose performance shines as brightly as the film itself. This quirky and lighthearted romantic comedy is the perfect vehicle for her talents, and it's a delightful trip down memory lane for fans of '80s cinema.

Foreman plays the role of Casey Meadows, a young woman who stumbles into a job as a chauffeur, navigating the eccentric world of her wealthy and often demanding clients. Her portrayal of Casey is a delightful blend of naivety and determination. Foreman infuses the character with a natural and endearing charm, making her instantly relatable and lovable. She brings a unique blend of innocence and tenacity to the character that is both humorous and heartwarming.

The film's premise, while seemingly simple, allows Foreman's comedic timing and charisma to shine. As Casey takes on the chauffeur role and encounters a host of zany characters and humorous situations, Foreman's impeccable delivery and infectious energy keep the audience engaged and amused throughout. Her interactions with her various passengers, including the stuffy but endearing Mr. Witherspoon and the mischievous old ladies, are a true comedic highlight.

The supporting cast complements Foreman's performance beautifully, adding depth to the humor and heart of the story. The script, while light-hearted and whimsical, is full of witty one-liners and clever humor, and the film strikes a perfect balance between comedy and romance. The pacing keeps the story moving, and the soundtrack featuring '80s pop hits adds to the nostalgic charm of the film.

"My Chauffeur" captures the essence of the 1980s, with its fashion, music, and humor, making it a time capsule of the era. For those who appreciate the era's cinematic offerings, this movie is a nostalgic treasure trove.

In conclusion, "My Chauffeur" is a delightful comedy that stands the test of time, largely thanks to the engaging and charismatic performance of Deborah Foreman. Her portrayal of Casey Meadows is a testament to her comedic talents, and her ability to infuse the character with both humor and heart is commendable. If you're in the mood for a lighthearted and amusing trip back to the '80s, this film, along with Deborah Foreman's shining performance, is an excellent choice. Buckle up for a fun ride with Casey, and you won't be disappointed!

Free-spirit, fast-talking Casey Meadows (Deborah Foreman) works as a lowly dishwasher. She receives a letter from wealthy benefactor Witherspoon (E.G. Marshall) hiring her as a new driver for Brentwood Limousine. Supervisor McBride (Howard Hesseman) is horrified by the change in the stuffy all-male operation. Ruthless business Battle (Sam J. Jones) is one of her clients and he gets dumped by his girlfriend.

This is a fun 80's flick. Deborah Foreman was an 80's IT girl. She is adorable doing this wide-eyed, open-hearted character. Penn and Teller do a memorable hustler and Arab sheikh combo. The drawback is mainly Sam Jones. He's not a good enough actor to dig deeper into his character but he's mostly fine. He needs to be a romantic lead but he's more of a linebacker or a villain henchman. The writing is passable for an 80's comedy. The material is elevated whenever Foreman gets to deliver a fun line.

This movie is almost impossible to watch. Even my old lady who picked it out wanted to turn it off after the first ten minutes, but we persevered for the full 90 minutes of occipital torture.

The chick from Valley Girl is cute but one cute girl and a lame Penn and Teller bit do not make a movie great. Why does this chick want to be a limo driver so bad. What's with the lame 80's soundtrack? Couldn't they have sprung a little extra for some tunes that people have heard on the radio? Sam Jones fan since Flash but come on man, his character is even more one dimensional than Flash. Penn and Teller, great I dig them, what will they do? Well dear friends, they will do a tired, hack, unfunny bit that would have stunk as a one minute bit, but stretch it into a 15 minute borefest. I really had to put my full weight down on my lady to keep her on the sofa during the miserable Penn and Teller portion of the film.

Finally, what really upset me most was Sam Jones' unexplained super quick face turn. I mean he is the heel all movie long. Valley Girl and Sam walk in the woods, he is still heel. Then they find a cabin and bam immediate face turn, asking Valley Girl to marry him. Just 30 seconds before he wanted her fired and showed no emotion towards her. What happened? Did the editor have to trim 20 minutes of the film where it showed Valley Girl warming Flash's heart? Avoid at all costs, even free on basic cable or Netflix. I dig Sam Jones, the Valley Girl broad, EG Marshall, and that one handed villain from Live and Let Die with the alligators but come on man, let this movie rest in piece.

OK, so it's no epic piece of cinematic history, and sure it's a formulaic and derivative romantic comedy, but I still rank it as one of my all-time favorite films because it possesses a wonderful plot structure, engaging vignettes ("A blue lady with a blue dog! That's 20,000 points!"), well-drawn characters, witty dialog, a lot of heart and a lot of laughs - not to mention a finger-snapping, so-80s soundtrack from a seemingly never-to-be-heard-from-again band called The Wigs "My Chauffeur" is all-around well written and well realized. Watching this film, you can tell the people involved both in front of and behind the camera really put their imaginations and talents into crafting something special. Deborah Foreman is quirky-cute-cool as Casey Meadows, an aspiring limo driver who shakes up the stuffy status quo of Brentwood Limousine Company when she's hush-hush hired by its reclusive owner (E.G. Marshall). She faces the cold shoulders of all of the older male drivers, save for a paternal Irish gent (played marvelously by Sean McClory) who takes her under his wing. Sam Jones is marvelous as Battle Witherspoon, the dictatorial corporate suit who's all business and no pleasure - until he meets Foreman's Casey and slowly melts for her. The romance that ensues between them is surrounded by a wonderful cast of characters who populate the movie's tangental scenes, such as the one that features the film debut of Penn & Teller (as a con man and a Middle Eastern prince, respectively). Myself, I get a little choked up every time I see the scenes where Casey comes to the transportation rescue of a young man being berated by his girlfriend for not having a car, and where Battle finally realizes what a jerk he's been and commands his long-suffering, single-mom secretary to march down to human resources the following Monday and name her own raise. Touching, heartfelt, sincere stuff. Yeah, it's a fairy tale film filled with other little fairy tales, but that's what makes it so much fun. Even more fun: "My Chauffeur" has one of the most fall-down laughing drunk scenes I've ever seen. After Jones' character gets dumped by his girlfriend, he gets rip-roaring blotto in the back of Casey's limo. Chugging scotch, primal screaming and spewing venom he declares his freedom and commences to streak stark naked through a neighborhood park. In terms of sheer hilarity it rivals the scene in "The Money Pit" where Tom Hanks laughs himself into hysterics after the bathtub plunges through the bathroom and shatters on the first floor. It's just movie magic. As you can tell, I've seen this film a few times, and will undoubtedly see it a few more in my lifetime. But everytime I see it, there is some bittersweetness that manifests itself as the credits roll at the end as I ask myself "where are they now?"