SnoopyStyle
Moron, California was renamed Taft after the discovery of oil. The town suffers from a losing streak until 1972 when star quarterback Reno Hightower (Kurt Russell) seemed poised to win against hated rival Bakersfield. Hightower suffered a career ending knee injury as he launched the perfect game winning pass. Jack Dundee (Robin Williams) dropped the ball and has been haunted by that moment. Present day, he is a bank VP and married to the boss's daughter. His boss, the Colonel, is a big Bakersfield booster who taunts him relentlessly. Reno's life is stale and his wife Gigi (Pamela Reed) wants a divorce to try singing in L.A. Jack gets his car fixed every week by Reno but it's only an excuse to drive the loaner out to the massage parlor to see former Homecoming Queen Darla. She comes up with the idea to replay the game which ended in a tie. Using lies and blackmail, Jack convinces the town to battle Bakersfield once more.I like the general concept of this black comedy. I'm fine with Jack being a little weasel although Robin Williams may be wasted in this role. I would like more friendship between him and Reno. Their bitterness taints the chemistry. It makes the movie less fun than it should be. In the end, the few laughs are just enough to make this work.
Mccadoo
This is one of my all time favorite movies and every once in awhile, when the world has punched me around a little too much, I get it out and watch it and things seem better.It's a funny, sentimental look at life and the mistakes we wish we could undo. It has unforgettable characters and some of the best quotes in any movie, ever.In my opinion this has always been one of Kurt Russell's and Robin William's best movies, and their best characters.If you're looking for a fun, well done movie to make you feel good then check it out, I think you'll end up watching it over and over again. And if you're like me, you'll wonder why everyone else doesn't know about it.
MontrealExpos
Saw this in the theater in '86 and fell out of my chair laughing more than once. "Beirut"..."What do you know about Beirut?"..."Beirut...he's the best damn baseball player who ever lived." You know how it's going to end but it has a great time getting there. The training scenes are very funny but the best scene may be the one when Jack and Reno are attempting to watch the Falcons v. Vikings Monday Night Football game while attempting a make-up dinner with their wives. I can imagine how much fun the actors had doing their own football work-outs especially in the Mud-Bowl.Robin Williams and Kurt Russell seem to have a lot of fun with this one. It's too bad that it's overlooked as a top notch comedy.
jimakros
I love this movie.Its funny and very well acted.Williams and Russell make two excellent former high school buddies who used to play ball and now are middle-aged. The whole atmosphere of the small town characters,for whom the town high school football team was especially important, is very well done and all the supporting actors do a good job.There are some very funny one liners and a spirit-lifting story.I've watched this a few times and always get a laugh with the characters and the story.I don't understand why this movie is not better known.I hadnt heard of it when i first watched it some years ago. Very funny and underrated.
AD
