Les bons tuyaux

Awesome comic cast is pretty much wasted in this only sometimes funny story of a bunch of losers trying to make it big on the horse racing circuit. Best is Jonathan Winters. If you're a fan of any of the cast members (Winters, Harvey Korman, Tim Conway, etc.) you may like this, others beware!

I've never been into horse races, so "The Longshot" shouldn't be the sort of movie that appeals to me. I took an interest because it's directed by Paul Bartel (of "Eating Raoul" fame) and because the cast includes Harvey Korman, Tim Conway and Stella Stevens.

It's a mixed bag. There are some slapstick scenes (namely the toilet) and some sexy ones (Stella Stevens was always a babe), but it's not exactly laugh-out-loud funny. Maybe it wasn't trying to be. Either way, this is one movie that won't appeal to everyone. Definitely more sedate than I prefer.

The rest of the cast includes Anne Meara, Edie McClurg, Eddie Deezen and Jonathan Winters.

It appears that the major Hollywood studio that backed this so-called comedy didn't give it much of a promotional or distribution push. Watching the movie, it doesn't take long to figure out why the studio heads got nervous. "The Longshot" is an unbelievably lame comedy. Most of the fault has to go to Tim Conway, who wrote the not ready to be filmed screenplay. There is barely a story here, and the movie frequently comes to a complete stop for minutes on end to try and deliver humor. That wouldn't be bad if the humor was actually funny, but for the most part it isn't. In fact, I only laughed once, at a sight gag involving Tim Conway dressed only in his underclothes. Conway and the rest of the cast have shown talent elsewhere, but they simply can't do anything with this screenplay and the dull direction by Paul Bartel. However, if you've ever wanted to hear Tim Conway do an old school style rap number with Ice-T, this movie will give you your chance.

Harvey korman and tim conway. They were so funny on carol burnett. But this was eight years after that. In a film written by conway himself! Has funny man jack weston. Anne meara is the nagging wife. Even frank bonner, a couple years after "wkrp". Jonathan winters. Even edie mcclurg (ferris beuhler). The gang spends all their time betting. On everything. So when they find a sure thing, they borrow the cash from a gangsta. But if they can't pay it back, they will lose their knee caps. Or thumbs. Or something. It's silly fun! It's a good one. Produced by the talented mike nichols. Directed by paul bartel, best known for "eating raoul". Also did "lust in the dust" and cannonball! Check it out... some pretty funny jokes here and there. On free tubi streaming.

Prior reviews which stated the film as a series of skits strung together indicates a lack of appreciation for comedic films in the genre of farce. Without generating a spoiler, reference the film summary for the plot line. The cascade of thoughtful plots builds into the 'chase' by the mobsters who are owed. Genius.

Considering that this film did not follow the typical formula for the mid-1980's by casting the "brat packers" or saturating the musical score with music from the "chill generation," it has a stunning brilliance. It has enough toilet humor to fascinate the "American Pie"-crowd. And, the hapless characters are surely inspiration for such shows as 2.5 Men & Big Bang.

It's a classic comedy.