Les fesses à l'air

There were comedies not that funny yet still provided a fair amount of entertainment. And in some cases, the actual plot took place halfway in and wound up not meaning a lot to the actual structure of the film, story, or characters...

One such vehicle is the semi-slapstick SO FINE by first time director and usual Hollywood writer Andrew Bergman, in which Ryan O'Neal plays a semi-stuffy college professor up for tenure...

He's reluctantly brought into his father's failing New York City clothing/garment business thanks to a nefarious criminal, played by James Bond heavy Richard Kiel, ready to take over Jack Warden's crippled enterprise unless something's done about the massive debt...

Much of story has O'Neal as a fish out of water dolt like his quirky spectacle-donning klutz with hidden sex appeal smitten with a free spirited woman WHAT'S UP DOC? (O'Neal even calls his plight a bedroom farce)...

Here he's in lust with an Italian moll while trying his very best not to get killed by her husband, the monstrous Kiel, who destroys a victorious pinball machine: It's nice seeing the beloved cult actor in a "larger" role than usual, his abundant size serving as more than punchline wallpaper; and he's a genuine threat despite the wacky shenanigans...

Meanwhile, O'Neal has almost no chemistry with the blond starlet, who looks and acts like a sexy throwaway bit player rather than a co-lead in a romantic comedy (looking as if Judy Landers bought 51% stock on Anne De Salvo)...

With annoyingly dated 1980's style sex-up contrived side-characters aside, SO FINE is best known for the provocative designer jeans with plastic in the back where the pockets should be, exposing a woman's assets...

And yet, other than a quick montage of the business skyrocketing, this particular device has little to do with the overall story - except that it accidentally derived during the love triangle mainline (after a "one foot out the door" situation), which is, for better or worse, what everything ultimately amounts to.

When I saw this movie, I laughed "sew" hard I split my pants! I mean it! As a member of a family in that's been in the clothing business for three generations, I think I'm qualified to say that this is the most realistic depiction of the tailor industry that I have ever seen. And it's "sew" funny becuase its true! The best part is when Ryan O'Neil walks around in those giant pants. I never saw anything "sew" funny in my whole life! Even if you don't really like tailor movies that much, you should still watch "Sew Fine" as soon as you can.

They should make more movies like this one.

this movie is a modern remake of Shakespeare's "Merchant of Venice", with Eddie as Shylock. Other references to Shakespeare in this movie include the "pound of flesh" quotation during the scene where the professor is being grilled by the university board, the professor's various "Henry IV" quotations to the employees of the dress store ("we the happy few..."), the Othello production, and the ending -- which takes place, of course, in Venice.

Hm, anybody else see the "pound of flesh" reference flashing through some see-through jeans?

*

'So Fine'(1981) Absolutely hysterical comedy about a college professor forced by one- syllable mobster( played perfectly by 7'2'' giant Richard Kiel)to join his manufacturer father in the garment industry and inadvertently invents see-through jeans that become a national rage. Ryan O'Neal( believe it or not) is very good as the flustered professor and the great Jack Warden as the father, all but steals the film. Non- stop laughs for 90 minutes

Having never been a Ryan O'Neal fan, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed "So Fine". I'm sure a great supporting cast helped (especially Jack Warden). We travel from the Ivy Halls of University life to the garment district of New York City, from clothing factory to an opera performance. Throw in a little infidelity, the "mob", and a new clothing fad, and you have a roller coaster ride of a film. Oh, and some advice, never date a woman whose last relationship was with Richard Kiel. He's the jealous (and angry) type.

One thing I never understood. The accidental creation of the jeans (that led to fame and fortune), never having made it to a real world fad. They consisted of jeans with cut-outs on the seats of the pants, with clear plastic instead of denim material. It's a great look! They may have seemed a bit risque in those days or more of a costume but no more. Anyone who has been to a beach or a pool lately will consider them tame. It may be an idea whose time has come........