Joe Day
Like any Cheech & Chong film, ideally the viewer should be bombed in one way or another. That said, you probably couldn't make this film today; with political correctness being what it is, the various racial and ethnic stereotypes would surly create a boycott. Watch it anyway. Just keep in mind the year it was made and what was going on in the world at the time. As for the boys, Cheech seems to be having the most fun and for my money is the better actor. In their dual role as Arab brothers,Chong can't hold on to his accent. Rip Taylor is funny in a cameo. Lastly, it is always fun to see film of Las Vegas in it's various stages of development/demolition. A good, rainy day movie and like I said, it's best when "stoned".
BlackJack_B
The 4th Cheech & Chong movie starts out strong with hilarity but fizzles as it progresses.The title obviously refers to the 1981-82 recession that was going on at the time. Cheech & Chong have dual roles as themselves and two wealthy Arab brothers who own a chain of car washes.The stoner duo somehow have found themselves in Chicago working for the brothers in a car wash. After they are fired for incompetence, they are re-hired as singers in a band (where they perform One-Eyed Snake) and find out the Arab's French girlfriends (played by Cheech & Chong's wives) are attracted to them.Later, they are told to drive a limousine to Las Vegas. However they have no money and in lieu of cash, they give away parts to pay for gas. Unbeknownst to Cheech & Chong, there was a ton of cash hidden in the car and when they mistakenly give it away without a second thought, the Arabs find out about it and they go on a search in the desert outside Las Vegas to off the stoners.Things Are Tough All Over has its moments but there are too many scenes of repetition and boredom in the middle. The characters of Slyman and Habib are actually funny at times but at this point, we already know all too well what will come out of Cheech & Chong's mouths. The same stuff we heard in the prior 3 films.It's still an O.K. film but it just lacks the full-court press zaniness that the prior three entries had.
Joseph P. Ulibas
Things are Tough All Over (1982) was the duo's fourth feature length film together. Tommy Chong wasn't the director this time around. It was also their second film that was filmed in Cinemascope. Cheech and Chong are living in Chicago, They work at a car wash during the coldest winter ever. There employers Prince Habib and Mr. Slyman (Cheech and Chong) want them to deliver some goods to Las Vegas (after they screwed up several other jobs). The two want to make it up to Slyman and Habib and go on a cross-country adventure. Meanwhile two French ladies have a crush on the two and they want to have a wild night together. Will Cheech and Chong deliver the package without any troubles? Can they stay away from Habib and Slyman's wives? How will they be able to score dope whilst on the road? Just watch THINGS ARE TOUGH ALL OVER to find out!!!Not a classic, just another funny film from Cheech and Chong. Follwed by another sequel STILL SMOKING!!!Recommended.
CelluloidRehab
A Cheech and Chong adventure, strangely not involving much drugs nor taking place in LA. That also might be the reason this is also one of the least funny Cheech and Chong movies. The Corsican Brothers was much funnier than this movie (which is not saying much). The movie starts out in Chicago, where our heroes work at a car wash. As usual, they get caught up in a strange turn of events that leads them to Las Vegas (this time). The laughs are far and few in between. The musical scene at the restaurant reminded me of old Yeller (someone please shoot him or rather me). The funniest scene is when Chong freaks out in the restaurant dressed up as a woman. His opening soliloquy is also quite funny. If you want to see a pointless adventure, not induced by drugs then see this movie. If, however, you would like to see a good Cheech and Chong movie skips this one. Go see Up in Smoke, Next Movie or even Nice Dreams. The movie can be summed up in a few powerful words : Cheech's man thong. Remember, rock and roll killed Elvis and I haven't done drugs in a week. I feel great. I feel like doing more drugs. You got any ??
AD
