montgomerysue

This movie is impressive on several fronts.

First, it is nice to see a 65 year old actress given the opportunity to headline a movie, and Jamie Lee Curtis nails it. She is hilarious and brings a lot of energy and spirit to her part.

After playing Tess twice now, she has made that character truly memorable. Her scenes involving her lips and in the record store are particularly funny, but Curtis shines throughout this film. Second, after three mediocre Netflix movies, Linsay Lohan is finally given a part deserving of her talents and she is back in a big way, giving an endearing and funny performance as Anna. Her chemistry with Curtis is wonderful. Third, the supporting cast is terrific throughout, particularly Julia Butters as Anna's daughter, Chad Michael Murray returning as Jake, and Vanessa Bayer as a fortune teller wannabe. Lastly, Disney has finally made a movie without an agenda.

There are no political or social commentaries made here - it's like the films that Disney used to make. Just some good old fashioned fun, with plenty of laughs and some really heartfelt moments that make you leave the theater feeling really good. Congratulations to all involved, particularly the writers, director, Curtis (the driving force behind getting this film made) and Lohan.

What makes this work is the chemistry between Dom DeLuise, Suzanne Pleshette, and Jerry Reed. They seem like they got along really well and enjoyed making this film in Miami. It's a screwball story with a lot of familiar faces from TV stopping by as customers at a pawn shop that is a front for the cops (played by Dom, Suzanne, and Jerry, along with a funny Luis Avalos as Ramon). Those TV faces are hilarious, particularly Bill McCutcheon as Paully, Sydney Lassick as Hymie, Pat McCormick as the man with the cigars, and a great schtick by Peppy Fields who comes in to buy an anniversary gift.

It's all good fun and is supposedly based on a true story.

Dom, also the director, works his tail off and his fans will be pleased. Suzanne, at the height of her beauty, is stunning, but, being the excellent actress she always was in any role, you totally believe her as a lady cop who keeps the guys in line. And Jerry, as always, brings some rowdy fun. Surprisingly, there is some very nice chemistry between Suzanne and Jerry, performers who came from very different backgrounds in real life. But, being the talented actors that they were, they carry it off.

Having seen this when it came out in 1979 and then watching it again the other day, I realize that, unlike some other comedies, it really does stand the test of time. Still fun - but kind of sad, too, because it makes you realize how much you miss Dom, Jerry, and particularly Suzanne, with those lovely dark looks and the best sultry female voice that Hollywood ever produced. May they rest in peace.

For her film debut in "Lady Sings The Blues," Diana Ross was nominated for an Oscar, deservedly so. And then Berry Gordy had the idea of creating this vanity piece for her in order to exploit her beauty and talent ? For designing clothes. The result is a complete and utter mess of a movie. What were Gordy and Ross thinking ? The supporting characters played by Anthony Perkins and Jean-Pierre Aumont are embarrassingly bad. Ross' co-star from her first movie, Billy Dee Williams, is on hand but, as much as he tries to elevate the material, it's hopeless. There are so many unintentionally laughable scenes that you are amazed that this was even brought to the screen, particularly when Ross' character drips hot candle wax on herself. Really !!

With an anticlimactic and goofy ending, you are just happy that the whole stupefying thing is over. This movie and 1978's disastrous "The Wiz" put the nails in the coffin of Ross' once promising acting career. A shame really.