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?

A woman is hired as a chauffeur for a limousine company. Her appointment causes all manner of perturbation and despair in the chauvinistic environs of this male-only club. Much to her male colleagues annoyance, she pretty much immediately makes a good impression with their clients though and gets involved with a relationship with a hard-nosed businessman who hires her as a driver. As is the way of these films, they start out getting on very badly but as time progresses a love affair emerges and the businessman learns from the error of his ways.

This 80's effort is overall pretty good fun. It's hardly going to blow your mind with its originality or anything though, as it is in essence a formulaic romantic comedy. But it has a very likable performance from Deborah Foreman underpinning it. She elevates the material up a notch or two. Appearing alongside her is Sam J. Jones, surely best known for his starring role in the earlier movie Flash Gordon (1980). There is also the first cinematic appearance of Penn and Teller, as a couple of oddballs who Foreman picks up latterly in the story. And we also have some very 80's music performed by the never popular new wave band, The Wigs. All-in-all, this is not bad for a low budget 80's comedy, it's corny but gets by on a reasonable amount of charm.

Quite possibly the best film ever made! Okay, maybe i'm exaggerating but it's a really fun film filled with wacky characters and that distinct LA 80's feel.

What sets this film apart is the dynamic lead performance by Deborah Foreman (where have you gone, Debbie?) In terms of comic timing and just being so damn adorable she rivals Katherine Hepburn in Bringing Up Baby (a film which My Chauffeur most resembles)

David Baierd's direction keeps things brisk and light yet there are demented touches here and there which give the film a unique off-balanced vibe.

Check this film out if you can and expect a pleasant surprise. I'll re-watch it again and again and have a blast each and every time.

I love this movie....I've loved it since I first saw it at age 10...If you pride yourself on your love for off-beat movies, and have never seen this..please do..I can't promise you'll have the same love for it as I do...but I truly believe I would love it just as much if I saw it today for the first time....Deborah Foreman is perfect in this role..open enough to be such a great character. All roles are distinct, no one gets lost in the chaos. I hope you have fun..now get up go rent it..I'd loan you my copy, but I don't know you stranger!!

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.