Benjamin Wolfe
If at first you take and forget that this is a remake, it will help for those who remember the original actors and such to get through this. On the other hand, as this is a current movie, (at that time) and sometimes updating a story can be entertaining, fun and necessary. Some stories don't seem to age well, now I'm not at all talking about this movie in that context. But with all said and done, after the movie ended, I had a good time. I really enjoyed it, so did many others, when "Born Yesterday" played in theaters . Don Johnson, as Paul, the reporter was good, no tough-talking bad boy role here. Then there was, the third character, John Goodman. Here is a comedic big-man! He has and brings a whole different ingredient to this story. If it had been another big man, it would have been all together not the same. Now Melanie Griffith, I have always had a 'soft' spot for in my heart for her, in a friendly way. She came in behind Judy Holiday and took on the role of a modern day 'simpleton' wife, who had her routine and therefore was happy as a pig in mud. It won't win any awards, but if you just look at that body of work and give it an honest chance, it comes through, delivering good laughs. The chemistry and interest among Johnson and Griffith was sustaining and entertaining which if it's lacking, will ruin just about anything that the main story could offer a viewer. Born Yesterday, has a propensity for trying. Sometimes 'trying' is too much and doesn't work and sometimes the movie makers hit a hard-and really good remake and make a new stake in the film remake game. At any rate, this was an enjoyable film that I would recommend to a comedy fan. With John Goodman playing it out and out funny and the bad-guy too, you can't miss. It's tough to beat William Holden, in a dirty-day mature adult affair type story, so this doesn't have the feeling to it that the original has. Even so they are two different films that can be enjoyed. The supporting cast was a nice choice as well as the main personalities. (**)
Boba_Fett1138
Basically this is a watchable enough movie that however as a comedy is too lacking in humor and it suffers from some poor character treatment.It's by no means an horrible movie but it's one of those movies that make you wonder why it was made in the first place. The movie as a whole makes a pointless and redundant impression, especially when considering that this is a remake as well, of a 1950, multiple Oscar nominated, movie.It's not a comedy with over-the-top humor or characters are comical situations. Instead its humor is more subtle with as a result that this movie doesn't provide one big laugh. The humor lacks some real creativity, even though the actors try really hard to make the humor still work.Without the fine actors the movie really would had been a lesser one. John Goodman, Melanie Griffith, Don Johnson and Fred Dalton Thompson are all fine actors. They still give the movie some flair and joy. However their characters don't really work out as good as they could had been.Griffith's and Johnson's roles are too blank and boring. Almost as if they were holding back. John Goodman's character is a hard one to understand. It's unclear whether the movie makers wanted to make him look sympathetic or like a ruthless hard corrupt business man. You don't know if you're supposed to like or hate him, which also does provide the movie with some uneven moments. Some serious poor character treatment if you ask me.But despite all its flaws, this movie still remains a perfectly watchable one. After all it's not a movie that will bore you to death or will make you cringe. However it's also a movie that you can easily do without seeing it.5/10http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/
caspian1978
Since half the audience doesn't realize that this movie was a remake, let me be the first to announce that it is. Melanie Griffith once again picks a decent role for her to portray. She is not only breath taking like always, she does the role justice and does it well. John Goodman, who made his career as the lovable /devoted husband on the hit series Rosanne, has been known to be funny as well as lovable. Here, Goodman takes a chance by playing a mean / greedy political businessman. He is not only scary at times, but amazing. Since then, Goodman has gone on to do a series of dramatic roles. Born Yesterday is one of his first well done dramatic performances. It was also nice to see Don Johnson and Melanis Griffith in another movie together. Even though they are no longer an item, they have remained friends and kept a good relationship on screen. This is something hard to find in Hollywood.
Pat-54
Judy Holliday won a well-deserved Oscar in 1950 for "Born Yesterday," which was directed by George Cukor. The cast also included Broderick Crawford (fresh from his Oscar-Triumph; All The King's Men) and William Holden. One of the great political satires of all time, "Born Yesterday" still remains a classic in every sense of the word. Then comes this.....a remake with Melanie Griffith in the title role. The only thing I can say is that they're (the producers) are lucky they can't be charged with capitol punishment! This film is a total disaster....A FLOP!
AD
