A corrupt cop blackmails former burglar Bernice, forcing her into her most ambitious job yet: a dentist hires her to break into her ex-husband's house and steal back her jewelry. But when th... Read allA corrupt cop blackmails former burglar Bernice, forcing her into her most ambitious job yet: a dentist hires her to break into her ex-husband's house and steal back her jewelry. But when the ex is murdered, Bernice is the only suspect.A corrupt cop blackmails former burglar Bernice, forcing her into her most ambitious job yet: a dentist hires her to break into her ex-husband's house and steal back her jewelry. But when the ex is murdered, Bernice is the only suspect.
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The jokes aren't funny or consistent - sometimes it's Whoopi style comedy and others it's bumbling cop stubs his toe and falls down the stairs type stuff. The acting is weak and phoned in. The script is lazy and boring. Bobcat is a waste and given literally nothing to do.
Nothing works. I don't know why they made this movie other than the capitalize on Whoopi's short lived fame and assuming anything with her in it would strike gold at the box office.
One of BURGLAR's biggest strengths is that it hits the ground running. Whoopi is great in the opening scenes, disguised as a fat-bottomed ol' lady ripping off a small piece of a rich man's riches. This sets the stage nicely for what promises to be a fast-paced blend of comedy, action, and snappy dialog. The film continues at a surprisingly entertaining level as our thieving hero, owing 25 G's to keep the lid on past misdeeds, agrees to snatch back some jewelry for a bitter ex-wife. Only things go terribly wrong when her target is murdered before she can make a clean getaway. Now she's the chief suspect and, just as O.J. once famously pledged, must find the real killer.
Unfortunately, it's at this point, when our expectations are highest, that BURGLAR begins to fall apart. The film grows progressively (and unnecessarily) lewd and at times downright dreary (particularly the out-of-place climax). Though there are a couple of laughs, much of the humor is so painfully unfunny you almost cringe. Performance wise, Whoopi is at the top of her game. But hard ass/cutie pie act -- punching men in the groin one minute and making wisecracks the next --never really works. Spastic comic Bobcat Goldthwait is as zany as ever as her best pal, but no one seemed to realize that his is an act meant to be taken in much smaller doses than this.
BURGLAR would have worked much better as a straight action thriller. Its insistence on trying to be humorous is what hurts it the most. Of course under no circumstances would this be a classic. But at the end of it all, you get the sense BURGLAR could have been more than it was.
A second rate comedy about a second story woman. A simple and plain thriller/comedy about a cat burglar moves to right side of the law when she attempts to solve a murder case. Based on the novel "The burglar in the closet" written by Lawrence Block and weak storyline by producer Jeph Loeb and director Hugh Wilson himself . Whoopi's always a treat , but this movie's best forgotten , Goldberg's fans should watch "Jumpin' Jack Flash" again instead . Co-star Bobcat Goldthwait elevates the comedic level , though he repeats a similar role from Police Academy II . Nice performances from a fun cast , resulting to a be a particularly energetic but mediocre effort from Goldberg held back by a silly and predictable script. Whoopi is well accompanied by a good support cast with plenty of familar faces , such as : W. G. Bailey , Lesley Ann Warren, James Handy, Anne De Salvo , John Goodman , Nathan Davies , Elizabeth Ruscio , among others.
It displays an anti-climatic and misadjusted musical score by composer Sylvester Levay , in the Eighties style , and composed by means of synthesizer . As well as atmospheric and functional cinematography by prestigious cameraman William A. Fraker. The motion picture was regularly directed by Hugh Wilson , resulting to be some boring and tiring . Wilson usually gave himself a cameo in the films he directed. He worked in advertising in Atlanta before becoming a writer and associate producer on "The Tony Randall Show" (1976). Wilson was a notorious writer and producer working as cinema as TV , shooting all all kind of genres with penchant for comedy . Being known for "Blast from the Past" (1999), "Radio Cincinnati" (1978) , "Frank's place" , "Rustler's Rhapsody" , "Guarding Tess", "The first wives club" , "Blast from the past" , "Dudley Do-Right" and his big hit : "Police Academy" (1984) . Rating : 4.5/10 . Average , only for Whoopi Goldberg's hardcore enthusiasts.
Did you know
- TriviaThe plot is loosely based on Lawrence Block's Burglar novels, with major changes to two principal characters. Bernard "Bernie" Rhodenbarr, a white male bookstore owner/burglar, became Bernice "Bernie" Rhodenbarr. Gay dog groomer Carolyn Kaiser, Bernie's best friend, became straight dog groomer Carl Heller.
- GoofsElizabeth Ruscio is credited twice at the end of the movie. Moments after her character is displayed with the actress' name credited in a caption, as is done with all the other major characters, Ruscio is again credited under "Also Starring," at the beginning of the rolling credits.
- Quotes
Vincent 'Knobby' DiCarno: What'll it be?
Carl Hefler: [walking up to the bar] Package delivery.
Vincent 'Knobby' DiCarno: For who?
Carl Hefler: It just says "Mayday".
Vincent 'Knobby' DiCarno: Here I'll take it.
Carl Hefler: Ya gotta sign for it.
[passing a clipboard]
Vincent 'Knobby' DiCarno: [signs and returns clipboard]
Carl Hefler: [reading signature] Kay-no-bee... K-noby! Is that like in Star Wars?
Vincent 'Knobby' DiCarno: No idiot, it's "Knobby".
Carl Hefler: Oh! it's... so it's like a nickname.
Vincent 'Knobby' DiCarno: Yes, I think maybe it's something like that.
[knocking on his bald head]
Carl Hefler: Well I'm gonna need your full name, please.
Vincent 'Knobby' DiCarno: Sorry...
Carl Hefler: Come on, it's the regulations.
Vincent 'Knobby' DiCarno: Hey fuck you, okay?
Carl Hefler: Fuck you? Thank you very much! I come here to give you a fuckin' package and you decide to blow me shit?
[getting more irate]
Carl Hefler: Like-like-like-like-like-like-like you're my idea of a dream come true - takin' shit from a dildo with ears?
[shouting]
Carl Hefler: You know when I was like five I said, "Dad, Dad! Can I get a job where random fuckin' shitheads blow me crap all day?" I'm gonna break you in fuckin' half and use your head as a ballpoint!
[grabs Knobby by the shirt]
Carl Hefler: Now sign the goddamn thing!
- SoundtracksTime Out for the Burglar
Performed by The Jacksons
Produced by Bernard Edwards and The Jacksons
Written by Jackie Jackson, Randy Jackson, Pamela Phillips Oland and The Distance
Courtesy of Epic Records
[end credits song, also plays during the roof jumping scene]
- How long is Burglar?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $12,500,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $16,337,355
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $4,509,754
- Mar 22, 1987
- Gross worldwide
- $16,337,355
- Runtime1 hour 43 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1