My Chauffeur

A woman is hired as a chauffeur for a limousine company. Her appointment causes all manner of perturbation and despair in the chauvinistic environs of this male-only club. Much to her male colleagues annoyance, she pretty much immediately makes a good impression with their clients though and gets involved with a relationship with a hard-nosed businessman who hires her as a driver. As is the way of these films, they start out getting on very badly but as time progresses a love affair emerges and the businessman learns from the error of his ways.

This 80's effort is overall pretty good fun. It's hardly going to blow your mind with its originality or anything though, as it is in essence a formulaic romantic comedy. But it has a very likable performance from Deborah Foreman underpinning it. She elevates the material up a notch or two. Appearing alongside her is Sam J. Jones, surely best known for his starring role in the earlier movie Flash Gordon (1980). There is also the first cinematic appearance of Penn and Teller, as a couple of oddballs who Foreman picks up latterly in the story. And we also have some very 80's music performed by the never popular new wave band, The Wigs. All-in-all, this is not bad for a low budget 80's comedy, it's corny but gets by on a reasonable amount of charm.

The lovely lady was one of the brightest stars of the 1980s, bringing an irresistible presence to such other favourites as "Valley Girl", "April Fool's Day", and "Waxwork". Here she shines as Casey Meadows, a kooky free spirit hired by a limousine company. Unfortunately, she's not welcomed with open arms as the place is staffed almost exclusively by miserable, stuffy chauvinists. They do everything that they can to discourage her, including giving her the problem clients, such as an outrageous rock star. However, Casey finds that her most problematic client will be Battle (Sam Jones of the 1980 "Flash Gordon" movie), whose identity is going to come as a surprise to her. "My Chauffeur" is certainly very likable stuff. It goes far on the charms of Foreman, and while it gets very silly at times, it's nice that writer / director David Beaird gives it such a screwy quality, while toning down the kind of raunchiness to be found in many other comedies of the period. (That said, it's still an utter riot to see a drunken Jones run around nearly naked!) Among the memorable sequences are the extended episode with Penn & Teller (making their feature film debut) as Teller plays a sheik and Penn a fast talking con man, and the episode where the nutty rock singer Catfight (Leland Crooke) robs a "blue lady" (Diana Bellamy) of her panties as part of an ongoing game with his background singers. And Casey and Battle bicker a lot on their way to falling in love. The movie is very much of its time, with a catchy pop soundtrack as accompaniment. The supporting cast is very solid, with Howard Hesseman, Julius Harris, Laurie Main, and John O'Leary as some of the sour old chauvinist pigs; veterans Sean McClory, as O'Brien, and E.G. Marshall, as Witherspoon, are particularly endearing and effective. The pacing drags in places, but overall this is a very hard movie not to like, creating some good vibes for a pleasant enough 98 minutes. Seven out of 10.

OK, so it's no epic piece of cinematic history, and sure it's a formulaic and derivative romantic comedy, but I still rank it as one of my all-time favorite films because it possesses a wonderful plot structure, engaging vignettes ("A blue lady with a blue dog! That's 20,000 points!"), well-drawn characters, witty dialog, a lot of heart and a lot of laughs - not to mention a finger-snapping, so-80s soundtrack from a seemingly never-to-be-heard-from-again band called The Wigs "My Chauffeur" is all-around well written and well realized. Watching this film, you can tell the people involved both in front of and behind the camera really put their imaginations and talents into crafting something special. Deborah Foreman is quirky-cute-cool as Casey Meadows, an aspiring limo driver who shakes up the stuffy status quo of Brentwood Limousine Company when she's hush-hush hired by its reclusive owner (E.G. Marshall). She faces the cold shoulders of all of the older male drivers, save for a paternal Irish gent (played marvelously by Sean McClory) who takes her under his wing. Sam Jones is marvelous as Battle Witherspoon, the dictatorial corporate suit who's all business and no pleasure - until he meets Foreman's Casey and slowly melts for her. The romance that ensues between them is surrounded by a wonderful cast of characters who populate the movie's tangental scenes, such as the one that features the film debut of Penn & Teller (as a con man and a Middle Eastern prince, respectively). Myself, I get a little choked up every time I see the scenes where Casey comes to the transportation rescue of a young man being berated by his girlfriend for not having a car, and where Battle finally realizes what a jerk he's been and commands his long-suffering, single-mom secretary to march down to human resources the following Monday and name her own raise. Touching, heartfelt, sincere stuff. Yeah, it's a fairy tale film filled with other little fairy tales, but that's what makes it so much fun. Even more fun: "My Chauffeur" has one of the most fall-down laughing drunk scenes I've ever seen. After Jones' character gets dumped by his girlfriend, he gets rip-roaring blotto in the back of Casey's limo. Chugging scotch, primal screaming and spewing venom he declares his freedom and commences to streak stark naked through a neighborhood park. In terms of sheer hilarity it rivals the scene in "The Money Pit" where Tom Hanks laughs himself into hysterics after the bathtub plunges through the bathroom and shatters on the first floor. It's just movie magic. As you can tell, I've seen this film a few times, and will undoubtedly see it a few more in my lifetime. But everytime I see it, there is some bittersweetness that manifests itself as the credits roll at the end as I ask myself "where are they now?"

"My Chauffeur" is a charming and often overlooked comedy gem from the 1980s, and at its core is the talented Deborah Foreman, whose performance shines as brightly as the film itself. This quirky and lighthearted romantic comedy is the perfect vehicle for her talents, and it's a delightful trip down memory lane for fans of '80s cinema.

Foreman plays the role of Casey Meadows, a young woman who stumbles into a job as a chauffeur, navigating the eccentric world of her wealthy and often demanding clients. Her portrayal of Casey is a delightful blend of naivety and determination. Foreman infuses the character with a natural and endearing charm, making her instantly relatable and lovable. She brings a unique blend of innocence and tenacity to the character that is both humorous and heartwarming.

The film's premise, while seemingly simple, allows Foreman's comedic timing and charisma to shine. As Casey takes on the chauffeur role and encounters a host of zany characters and humorous situations, Foreman's impeccable delivery and infectious energy keep the audience engaged and amused throughout. Her interactions with her various passengers, including the stuffy but endearing Mr. Witherspoon and the mischievous old ladies, are a true comedic highlight.

The supporting cast complements Foreman's performance beautifully, adding depth to the humor and heart of the story. The script, while light-hearted and whimsical, is full of witty one-liners and clever humor, and the film strikes a perfect balance between comedy and romance. The pacing keeps the story moving, and the soundtrack featuring '80s pop hits adds to the nostalgic charm of the film.

"My Chauffeur" captures the essence of the 1980s, with its fashion, music, and humor, making it a time capsule of the era. For those who appreciate the era's cinematic offerings, this movie is a nostalgic treasure trove.

In conclusion, "My Chauffeur" is a delightful comedy that stands the test of time, largely thanks to the engaging and charismatic performance of Deborah Foreman. Her portrayal of Casey Meadows is a testament to her comedic talents, and her ability to infuse the character with both humor and heart is commendable. If you're in the mood for a lighthearted and amusing trip back to the '80s, this film, along with Deborah Foreman's shining performance, is an excellent choice. Buckle up for a fun ride with Casey, and you won't be disappointed!

Quite possibly the best film ever made! Okay, maybe i'm exaggerating but it's a really fun film filled with wacky characters and that distinct LA 80's feel.

What sets this film apart is the dynamic lead performance by Deborah Foreman (where have you gone, Debbie?) In terms of comic timing and just being so damn adorable she rivals Katherine Hepburn in Bringing Up Baby (a film which My Chauffeur most resembles)

David Baierd's direction keeps things brisk and light yet there are demented touches here and there which give the film a unique off-balanced vibe.

Check this film out if you can and expect a pleasant surprise. I'll re-watch it again and again and have a blast each and every time.