Python Hyena
Worth Winning (1989): Dir: Will MacKenzie / Cast: Mark Harmon, Madeleine Stowe, Lesley Ann Warren, Maria Holvoe, Mark Blum: Insincere yet amusing romantic comedy about what one pursues in relationships. Mark Harmon stars as weatherman Taylor Worth who is an egotistical ladies man whose friends witness him constantly dumping women after about two months. Central plot has Taylor's friends roping him into a bet that has him video taping three proposals to three different women within a specific time limit. This is a hilarious concept marred extremely by repetition and an ending that lacks sincerity. What does work is Harmon's cocky charm as Taylor as he confidently endures this bet without threat of consequence. Maria Holvoe plays target number one, Erin Cooper whose body guard is a local celebrity football player. She loves cats and can also hit a nifty football tackle herself. Target number two is Veronica Briskow, played by Madeleine Stowe. She is a pianist who takes an immediate dislike to Taylor but withstands his counter charm. Lesley Ann Warren plays Eleanor Larimore, a sexually repressed married woman whose desires are awakened when Taylor pursues her. Mark Blum plays Taylor's married best friend who issues this bet at high stakes. Theme regards relationships verses playing the field and whether any of it is worth winning in the end. Score: 7 / 10
edwagreen
Mark Harmon in a ridiculous comedy about a swinging TV weather guy who bets with 3 friends that he can get engaged to 3 girls within a 3 month period.The lucky people in this inane foolishness are 2 of the 3 friends. After the wager is made, they are rarely if ever seen for the rest of this dismal flick.You don't have to be a rocket scientist to realize that the three girls will eventually find out and plot revenge. Madeleine Stowe is a concert pianist. Moody, she appears the most difficult for Harmon to conquer. There's also a female sports player and a bored housewife married to a millionaire. The latter played by the reliable Lesley Ann Warren.The basic problem with this film is really who cares?There is of course the wedding scene where the intended lady says no at the last minute and you can readily guess who her bridesmaids are. Then, Harmon will have to win her back in a raffle!Predictable nonsense. One of the bettors was a psychiatrist. He should have ordered therapy for all involved in this flick.
Don C
One of my favorite movies. The plot is simple and predictable. The lines are sometimes cheesy but overall, the movie is very entertaining. Love the soundtrack too.Synopsis: "Taylor Worth (Mark Harmon) is a local weatherman in Philadelphia who loves two things: gambling and women. Ned (Mark Blum), his psychiatrist friend, believes that Taylor's behavior is an excuse from establishing permanent relationships. To prove his theory to be correct, he made a bet with Taylor. The bet: Taylor is to be engage to three women in two months. The stakes: A fishing cabin for a Picasso. The catch: Ned will pick the three women and the engagement has to be videotaped." "What happens next is wild roller-coaster ride as Taylor plots, schemes and executes plan after plan to beat his friend." What strikes me about the story is how Mark Harmon played his character. He used more finesse rather than the egotistical "God's gift to women" attitude. He is no Cassanova but somehow irresistible. I couldn't help but cheering for him even though the bet was morally wrong. The supporting cast is excellent.If you like a light-heart sexual comedy movie, then this is for you.
stormer-2
Everyone wants to give this film a bad rap because of its premise, which, okay, does border on the crass. So they go into it with their eyes and ears closed to all of the film's unique, quirky characterizations and undeniable charms, intent on hating it. As an ensemble, the players exude a magnificent chemistry and the screenplay is both hilarious and romantic. It's a real gem. And enough feminist criticism already. The film was scripted by two women. Veronica's character is dynamic and intriguing, one of my personal favorites.
AD
