California Casanova

Every once in awhile I happen to catch something that is a rarity. A good movie. It has been playing recently and I watched it twice. Who would have thought of Jerry Orbach as an aging charmer named `Constantin Rominoffski'? Although it is basically a comedy, there are some poignant moments between Rominoffski and Peter, the young geeky guy that he tries to help out.

Jerry Orbach is terrific as the aging gigolo who befriends a young nerd and helps transform him into a modern day Casanova. or at least he tries to. A surprisingly vulnerable and revealing performance by Audrey Landers, along with a very appealing cameo performances by Ken Kercheval. This was a great movie to watch.

Obviously this film was intended for a young audience, which is why none of the posted comments mention the presence of Tyrone Power Jr., who is the only reason I watched this movie.

"California Casanova" doesn't pretend to be anything but what it is - light entertainment featuring attractive people with lots of hair, makeup, and great bodies.Ruth Landers produced this film for her daughter Audrey, who gives a sweet performance as a young woman being pressured by her thug boyfriend to stay with him.

The plots are a little bit disjointed. There's the Landers plot, which ties in with the Jerry Orbach plot. Orbach brings his usual wonderful professionalism to an offbeat role for him, that of a fake count trying to give some class to a nerd - Tyrone Power Jr. Tyrone Power Jr. resembles his late father so much, particularly in the first shots of him, that I got goosebumps. Were he a stronger actor, his career might have at least approached that of his father's, but he's never really been able to rise above decent parts in independent films and bit roles in larger ones. He does a lot of indicating, i.e., shaking his head, grimacing, etc., as he did in "Cocoon." However, circa 1991, he was gorgeous, and his love scene with Landers was sheer perfection. His entrance as a polished, classy gentleman was very similar to his father's entrance in "The Razor's Edge," though I suspect that was more of a coincidence than an actual choice on the part of the director. He also, at least when the film was made, did not have a good agent - his role in this film was as much of a lead as Landers', yet he is billed below the title.

Landers gets to show off her singing voice in the film, and she's quite good. All in all, "California Casanova" is mindlessly diversionary and of definite interest for old film buffs who will be glad to see that the son also rises.

Oh, wow, what a wonderful burst of fun it was to see Jerry Orbach as a retired European gigolo! And he gives Yoda like advice to his young listener, played by Tyrone Power Jr.

California Casanova was made ahead of its time. The cleverly sophisticated approach to this comedy brings modern sensibilities to a genre that is very difficult to do – screwball comedy. And it all works.

Writer-Director Nat Christian, boldly ventures into this territory with great aplomb. His screenplay presents us with a very real "Rominoffski", an aging gigolo, who has been presenting himself as something "special." You know, the guy who manages a fine hotel somewhere, and says that his family's money has been tied up or frozen somewhere in Europe for political reasons. The guy is impeccably well dressed. We know this person. He's the guy who, if you looked closely enough, would have a tiny hole at the back of his pant cuff. But one doesn't look closely at these types. They are "royalty." Their charm keeps us too charmed to look further. And they get by with it. Writer/Director, Christian also created a strong female character in this film.

As a director, Christian very creatively ties in romance and spiced poignancy with comedy. Under his direction, the actors are relaxed and they give outstanding performances.

Jerry Orbach, who had normally been a song and dance man, until he became street tough guys, plays this character beautifully and poetically. What a real joy.

Audrey Landers (whom I had seen in Chorus Line) plays a singer who is caught between a tough guy ex-boyfriend, Brian Genesse, and a geek. Landers has never been more real and vulnerable in a role. It's the first time I saw a wide range with her and couldn't help but think that that this actress could be a major international star.

Tyrone Power Jr. plays well opposite Mr. Orbach. Brian Genesse, is charismatic and funny.

One of the executive producers is Ruth Landers, Audrey's mother apparently. And this probably was a vehicle for her daughter. Though, I would have preferred to see more of a buddy picture, with Orbach and Power, because I feel that is where the strength of this movie was, Audrey's performance was a real joy to watch.

California Casanova delivers. Maybe delivered a little ahead of it's time, but that's the great thing about DVDs!

I just loved this stylish, charming, escapist and romantic movie. It's not often that you see a screwball comedy that works, and this one does. The story has a lot of heart, and it delivers, moving with light, but effective strokes of the brush. Jerry Orbach is great as an older gigolo. I definitely recommend this one.