Things Are Tough All Over

I was still laughing at this film long after I had finished watching it. Cheech and Chong are just as funny as ever, and this film just adds to their other classic comedy films. Chong is especially hilarious because he's on peyote for basically the entire film. Cheech is just as funny, and even Rip Taylor makes an appearance to heighten the comedy. Cheech and Chong also play characters named Prince Habib and Mr. Slyman who make the film much funnier. Watch for the song Cheech and Chong sing in the desert and when Rip Taylor picks them up off the street - those parts are hysterical.

Like any Cheech & Chong film, ideally the viewer should be bombed in one way or another. That said, you probably couldn't make this film today; with political correctness being what it is, the various racial and ethnic stereotypes would surly create a boycott. Watch it anyway. Just keep in mind the year it was made and what was going on in the world at the time. As for the boys, Cheech seems to be having the most fun and for my money is the better actor. In their dual role as Arab brothers,Chong can't hold on to his accent. Rip Taylor is funny in a cameo. Lastly, it is always fun to see film of Las Vegas in it's various stages of development/demolition. A good, rainy day movie and like I said, it's best when "stoned".

Thing's Are Tough All Over is a funny movie. No spare parts needed to pump up the action and, in a way, works by being slightly more laid back then the past ones. It actually takes away an element without too much trouble and adds another. And it stays funny. The pot is what's taken away, for the most part, with maybe one or two tiny moments put in to reference their past films. What do they add? A road-movie attitude and two new characters by Cheech and Chong which are hilarious. Not withstanding that they're the most blatant kind of caricatures imaginable, they also have the funniest lines in the film. It's one thing to just have the look of these characters, but the duo pepper each one with clever dialog from start to finish (some of it pretty weird in its way). Some scenes here and there lag, but when the pace picks up again tenfold once they arrive in Las Vegas. With a funny cameo by Rip Taylor this film is one of Cheech and Chong's best.

"Things Are Tough All Over" is about to overtake "Nice Dreams" as my favorite Cheech & Chong movie. If it wasn't for the movie theater scene it probably would be my favorite C&C movie. That scene isn't a deal breaker but it isn't that funny either. The rest of the movie, however, is very funny. There a lot of laughs. C&C are both in fine form. Their supporting cast (with the exception of their wives) is also very good. The only other demerit that I can give "Things Are Tough All Over" is that Donna's part is way too small.

I really liked this movie. Besides being funny, it really did a decent job of illustrating how nobody's life tends to be a a bed of roses regardless of who somebody is or isn't. I've often thought of the film to put things in a different perspective when I've found myself envying another person for whatever reason. Chances are, it's not easy being anybody.

It was largely a departure from all of the drug humor in previous films, but the drug was going at full steam ahead around when it came out. Besides, it was about time they branched out and explored new humor horizons.