|
Down and Out in Beverly Hills
(1986),
Director: Paul Mazursky, rated R for language
See
what happens when a dirty bum meets the filthy rich
  Starring:
Nick Nolte, Bette Midler, Richard Dreyfuss, Elizabeth Peņa,
Little Richard, Tracy Nelson, Evan Richards, Mike the Dog
DML Rating:
★★★★★★☆☆☆☆
- above average
"I ate garbage last
night, Barbara... and loved it!" -
Dave Whiteman
Why watch this?
In the '80's,
Nick Nolte was the man, and this risky role proved a
smart choice.
Plot Summary:
Jerry Baskin, a homeless man, attempts to drown himself in the
swimming pool of wealthy Beverly Hills residents Dave and
Barbara Whiteman. Dave saves Jerry and impulsively invites him
to stay in their luxurious home, much to the initial dismay of
his status-conscious wife, Barbara. Despite the Whitemans'
initial discomfort, Jerry's presence subtly transforms the
dysfunctional family, exposing their unhappiness and challenging
their materialistic lifestyle through his unconventional outlook
on life.
Dad's Preview: There
was a time in Hollywood when Nick Nolte was on a roll, and
taking on risky roles. This comedy, where he portrays a bum,
living on the street, was one such gamble, and it really paid
off. The combo couple, in Dreyfuss and Midler, as LA snobs adds
to the hilarity. I personally thought Mike the Dog deserved an
award, too. This comedy's big lessons are don't judge a book by
its cover, and all that counts is
understanding the real important things in life.
Touchstone Films,
Silver Screen Partners II; Buena Vista Dist. Co.
|
