Les fesses à l'air

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?

*

It is truly criminal that this movie is not available on DVD, especially when you consider the tripe that is out there.

The acting is on target and the writing is superb. Richard Kiel is perfect as the asexual mobster who forces Jack Warden to bring his dorky English professor son Ryan O'Neal into the family garment business. An affair between O'Neal and Kiel's incredibly hot wife ensues, leading to a clothing fiasco that results in the development of jeans with clear plastic back pockets and a windfall profit for the company.

O'Neal returns to school, leaving his New York garment district co-workers with Shakespeare ("We few, we happy few...") And from there the finale (Verdi's Otello, Richard Kiel in the title role, an appearance on paper by Pope John Paul II, and one of the classic lines of Jack Warden's career) can only be described as perfect.

BTW, Fred Gwinn is exceptional as the head of O'Neal's English department.

Don't miss it!

Ryan O'Neal gives a weak, forgettable performance, but "So Fine" is saved by Jack Warden's excellence as the beleaguered garment manufacturer. Mariangela Melato is extremely sexy, while Richard Kiel is extremely intimidating as Melato's jealous husband. Unfortunately, whenever O'Neal is on screen, which is often, the film grinds to a halt. If you enjoyed Jack Warden in "Used Cars", this is a must see. The writing is a mixed bag, though at times surprisingly clever (the see through jeans). There are also some slapstick scenes that fall flat. If Alan Arkin had been cast in Ryan O'Neal's part, this could have been a classic. - MERK

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.

Broadly-written and directed comedy about a professor of American literature who is forced into joining his manufacturer-father's dress business in New York City after his dad falls into debt with loan sharks. As an early-1970s Hollywood Lothario who first gained recognition on TV's "Peyton Place" as the resident heartthrob, and later parlayed that same appeal in the hit romantic-tragedy "Love Story", it is amazing that actor Ryan O'Neal was then typecast as a befuddled square who is nervous and unsure around women (this following his success in 1972's "What's Up, Doc?"). O'Neal doesn't really fit the role; his clumsiness isn't forced, yet the star doesn't have the innate grace for physical comedy (he's too self-conscious and heavy-spirited, and mock-innocent). The film has one great gag (split jeans), and a funny follow-up (a TV commercial promoting the jeans with see-through plastic on the rear), but none of the screwball hijinks in the boudoir raises a laugh. *1/2 from ****