Down and Out in Beverly Hills
1986 Directed by Paul Mazursky
Synopsis
Beverly Hills couple Barbara and Dave Whiteman are very rich but not happy Dave is a hard working business man, his wife is only interested in yoga, aerobics and other meditation classes, and he sleeps with the house maid. Their teenage son is confused about his sexuality and their daughter is suffering from eating disorders. While they are celebrating thanksgiving having plenty of food, street tramp Jerry is hungry, homeless, sleeping rough and has lost his dog. Jerry decides to end his life by drowning himself in their swimming pool. Dave rescues him and invites him to stay for a while. How does this stranger change the life style of this family?
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Movie wasn't very funny and in the end was very pointless. There is actually little to no character development and I guess I didn't really like the ending either.
Little Richard as the neighbor is a joke, as he ends up singing during the wacky finale.It took me the whole film to figure out where I've seen the daughter before: she was the girl that George dated that everyone said looked like Jerry on SEINFELD.
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Paul Mazursky's films are usually unfunny and labored, but this is bad even for him. The character arcs are hideous, as an overbearing Richard Dreyfuss and underwhelming Bette Midler come across terribly next to a charming, nuanced Nick Nolte. Nolte's the only thing remotely human here, though his character's also poorly written. Though the film could focus on class differences and the shallowness of this upper class family's perceived problems, it's too aimless and vapid for that. Instead, this plays like a film made by and for people who live in Beverly Hills who have no idea what real life looks like.
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There are plenty funny scenes with the great cast, but whenever the plot shows its head it just gets in the way of everything. Character motivations were all over the place with people's opinions completely flipping for no apparent reason. Aside from that it's a fun feel good, hang out film.
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I saw this at the Aero in 2012 with the director and star Nick Nolte in person for a Q&A.
I have to say in modern, some comedies are too long and have to have a lot of edits. Back in the day with comedies like this, all you had to do was put a camera on a tripod and roll film. Actors back then were just funny.
There's no way a film with this plot and ends this way could be made today. -
Paul Mazursky's remake of Jean Renoir's ''Boudu Saved From Drowning" easily stands on its own as a biting yet funny commentary on the emptiness of a wealthy life. The Talking Heads opens and closes the film with its classic "Once in a Lifetime." What separates a wealthy man from a bum in enjoying life as it is? Richard Dreyfuss, Bette Midler, and Nick Nolte lead the cast in this sharp comedy of manners. This is indeed an 80's classic film.
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This is one of those movies that you remember seeing and liking and then going back to watch it years and years later and saying, oh yeah that is why I liked it. Bette Midler was good in the 80′s comedy section of her filmography. She did it very well. Richard Dreyfuss can be so serious even in the funniest roles which is why he is so good. You really believe him. Overall, the cast for the movie was incredible… script was funny without being over the top… and over all enjoyment is HIGH!!!
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Cruising through my channels, I came across this movie and thought what the hell. If your looking for a cheesy, corny, comedic 80's movie with Nock Nolte, Richard Dreyfuss, and Bette Midler then you came to the right movie. Moments such as Nick Nolte eating dog food with the dog is just one comedic highlight of this film. Pretty funny watch if theres nothing else on. ;P