It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time

This is one of the UNFUNNIEST comedies I've ever seen. Not only is the humor extremely lame and unenergetic, there aren't that many attempts at humor! The only thing to be said in its favor is that it isn't one of those bad, sex-perverted Canadian films that Canada now makes.

The sequel, "Find The Lady", is just as unfunny, though done with somewhat more energy.

I must say that the blatantly false advertising used to sell this movie today is a disgrace. On the cover was a giant picture of John Candy with his name over the title, and the reverse said that he headed up the cast. However, when you watch the movie, you find an old '70s movie in which a much younger-looking John Candy plays a very small part.

Despite the false pretense under which I purchased the movie, I do believe it was still worth the watch. It is campily-humorous per the time period in which it was made, and includes the bonus of the appearance of Isaac Hayes as the lead's best friend. Though not one of my favorites by a long shot, its low-brow humor is entertaining enough for the price I paid. While some of those bargain bin movies have been bad enough to never merit a second glance, this one remains in my collection as worthy of an occasional viewing.

Well, let me just say, I'm a huge John Candy fan from way back. Was perusing the video shelf at a local store, and wow,, John Candy's face jumps out at me. ! Thought I had seen most if not all of his movies. Big photo of John and a description of some guy and his marital problems. So i figure not every one makes a movie that is well know so I buy hoping to watch a good, but rather unknown, Candy film. Well, this isn't a Candy film. It's from 1975!!!! Well before he was star. Cheap way to see a movie I think. It' like putting the kid's face from Forest Gump , who sat in the back of the bus and said "Hey Forest" on the cover because years later he became a star. Oh well, that's life. Just saying if you think this is a John Candy film - it's not.

It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time is not supposed to be a classic. it's just goofy fun. 80-90% of the movies made annually are just candy.

when a movie is this "bad"...it's interesting to just look at other aspects of it. the direction...writing...what possibly passed as humor at that time. i think its amusing to just "watch" people act. see the wheels turning in their eyes as their minds bring out the next line of dialog.

don't be hard on movies like "Good Idea". they are not supposed to stand the test of time. it's just candy.

I borrowed it from work where we test TVs and yes, the movie isn't the greatest but does have one merit: It is a time capsule. The thing that got me was a lot of the seventies culture and life style in the movie is there, like the old pulse dial telephones, the old vehicles, like the yellow beatle, and the VW minibus. Oh, and there's the stubbies! Those old bear bottles, before bear bottles where what I know them to be today. That is what I watched the movie for.

Lame plot, yes, for sure, but it also had a very young John Candy (May he rest in peace) in it as well, and that says something for sure. This movie should be kept for time capsule reasons, and should also be kept as an example of what a poor movie looks like: Something film school students should watch for sure.