Cordes et discordes

Michael Caine and Sally Field--reunited from "Beyond the Poseidon Adventure"!--in a curious but unfunny Rock Hudson-Doris Day throwback. Field has such a rapport with the camera that movie audiences immediately relate to her highs and woes. Her fans didn't turn out for this quickie-comedy from writer-director Jerry Belson, however, and yet it's gratifying to see the actress in a sunny bit of fluff for once in place of dramatic Oscar Bait (and one is nearly tempted to give "Surrender" a pass on the basis on Field's likability alone). It's a film built on an overworked premise--love vs. Money--and yet it goes off into many perplexing directions. Michael Caine does what he can with the silly role of a wealthy writer, taken to the cleaners by women over the years, who meets assembly-line artist Field and pretends to be poor--but, of course, she's the one pure lady who wouldn't care if he had money or not. There are some interesting bits in the film: a date to the airport--to watch the planes fly overhead--is unusual (and looks good on film); there's also the embarrassing way in which the two lovers meet. Still, not enough wit was put into the basic make-up of the story, which plays like something from the Doris Day-Rock Hudson generation. That's fine if the picture has the wit and snap of "Lover Come Back", but "Surrender" is terribly insecure and unsure of itself. ** from ****

I really enjoyed this romantic comedy. I found it funny and kept my interest throughout. Sterling performances by Sally Field and Michael Caine. Some of the supporting cast also turned in good performances. Well worth catching on video or cable.

Michael Caine stars in Surrender as a successful novelist with bad luck with women. He's been divorced and taken to the cleaners too many times, and he vows he'll never get involved again. Obviously, he does, but why does he weaken if he's so adamant? Because he's literally held at gunpoint and tied to a naked woman. The film has a bit of a bizarre sense of humor, but once you get on its wavelength, it's very funny. Obviously, that situation would never happen. But it would take something so absurd to get Michael to forget his self-imposed female ban.

Sally Field (the naked lady) has her own absurd background: she always picks the wrong guys, and her current boyfriend, Steve Guttenberg, has been kidnapped in South America. She works at a "mass landscape painting factory", which is actually really interesting. But, keep in mind, it's a bit wacky. Sally vacillates between being strong and being a total pushover, but you've got to just roll with her. Overall, it's a cute movie; and every once in a while, something will make you laugh so hard, you'll need to press pause and clutch your belly.

I'll leave you with this: Michael believes he's found "The One" - again. He balks against making Sally sign a prenuptial agreement, but his lawyer and friend Peter Boyle insists. Michael maintains they're unromantic. "So are rubbers, but they work," Peter fires back. Crude? Don't watch this movie. Hilarious? Buy a copy.

Michael Caine is always worth watching, and Sally Field is at her most attractive here, but this romantic comedy is just very mild and weightless (and I mean it in a negative way). It's occasionally enjoyable, though.

I've scoured the internet trying to find this on DVD. The chemistry between Michael Caine and Sally Field is outstanding. I don't know if the following line would be called a spoiler....I don't think so I just think of it as one of many funny incidents that happen in this flick. It is the scene where they are tied up together (naked) so funny. Steve Guttenberg as a spoiled rich guy is funny as well. I can't believe this movie hasn't been done on DVD. I've seen so many movies that shouldn't be on DVD. This movie is so much better than those. I believe if given the chance this movie would do well on DVD. If I can't get it that way, I may get desperate enough to get the VHS version...hope it doesn't come down to that. Whoever you DVD gods are, I hope you do this one SOON!