"Its barbecue sauce, cajon, very spicy" . . .

Author's Rating:

Pros: Not enough of just Goldie and Chase delivering side-splitting humor

Cons: Just enough of Charles Grodin

The Bottom Line: 
You need to really laugh, this gives some whoppers !

Author's Review
Neil Simon wrote some touching and humorous plays of the late 70’s that one was turned into a classic movie starring, twice now coupled in movie-dom, the great Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase. It made its full-length feature film debut on Criss Angels 28th birthday December 19th, 1980 directed by Jay Sandrich.

As Glenda Gardenia Parks (Goldies character is married to attorney Ira Parks played by Charles Grodin who is fairly funny in this role), Hawn does a fantastic job at keeping it real between emotion and duty, both to community and to her husband.

The theme surrounds loyalty and all ways you can bend it so it serves the true purpose of proving a persons innocence. Clearly Hawn and Chase are strict by not just mere acting alone, accepting that justice still can prevail, even if cajoled through humorous antics. It shows a gentler side of our judicial system but brings an atmosphere of falsity as to how a true courtroom is run. Some lawyers would probably not find those scenes particularly amusing, but I did and I feel you will also.

When Nicholas Gardenia, played by Chevy Chase, is kidnapped and let loose unwillingly, he seeks refuge from his ex-wife now married to the district attorney who is out to get him for the last time her ex befuddled the relationship. Now there is anger underneath the fluff but it plays out so fluidly that once Chase and Hawn capture you, it really does not matter if Ira gets his guy, eh girl or not. Not too predictable so when a funny-bone moment hits it is not led up to so much. There is surprise and scheming but non-threatening means to an end, well you’ll just have to rent it, buy it or get it cause its pretty funny.

The chemistry of Hawn and Chase is so toyed with; both affectionately and legally in an upstanding manner so Goldie does not appear sleazy. Also there is a strong regard for crossing legal boundaries in that if the message that clients and their representing attorneys should not fornicate nor attempt to go back for seems like old times memory-lane skipping, these two fail to listen to the warning bells ! It can get very awkward looking up at the situation from ground floor or looking down at floor level past the gavel and podium. The court scenes are hilarious especially the dogs and Glenda has several. The Parks family consists of eight canines, including one very large beautiful St Bernard named Sampson.

You get caught up in the moment, especially during that week that Nicholas blemishes the perfection of Goldies beautiful face by the smudge later wiped off at the stairwell during a gala event for the senator, by none other than Ira who asks . . .

The pairing of Grodin and Hawn is versatile; Goldie can lead anyone around and make them shine as she normally does without the help of someone who might take on the role and characterization placement, more appropriately, i.e. the stiffled attorney husband. She fits being an attorneys wife and claiming the role herself.

As a woman in such a position humor is necessary and Goldie delivers it well while grodin, takes it with a grain of salt and a look on his face that is quite comical but timeless. No other movie I have seen him in since, shows that tweak like the one Goldie can get out of you !

The mayor is played by George Grizzard while Robert Guillaume plays “Fred”, the other district attorney. These lesser evolved characters equal the talent but are not the main ingredients like Hawn and Chase offer, it is their re-connection that keeps you watching till the end.

It runs for 100 minutes in high frequency stereo mode and delivers an exceptional quality picture and overall movie theater reproduction. In color, released in the USA, relatively inexpensive in most places like WalMart, Value City, and K-Marts but also at discount ‘dollar stores’ you can find it in a bin for less than five bucks ! Yes this is one comedy your entertainment shelf should not be without.

Enjoy !