Foul Play
by Colin Higgins
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DVD details
Actor: Burgess Meredith, Chevy Chase, Eugene Roche, Goldie Hawn, Rachel RobertsDirector: Colin Higgins
Brand: HAWN,GOLDIE
Cinematographer: David M. Walsh
Writer: Colin Higgins
Editor: Pembroke J. Herring
Producer: Edward K. Milkis
Producer: Peter V. Herald
Producer: Thomas L. Miller
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); English (Original Language); French (Original Language)
Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Surround Sound, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.77:1
Running Time: 116 minutes
Published: 2004-11-01
DVD Release Date: 2004-11-16
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Paramount
DVD Reviews of Foul Play
DVD Review: "Gloria, did you...drop acid a little earlier today?"
Summary: 5 Stars
Back when I had a crush on Goldie Hawn, I used to watch FOUL PLAY (1978) whenever it popped up on television. As a kid, this was one of my favorite movies, not only because of Goldie Hawn but because FOUL PLAY also starred another then-favorite actor, Chevy Chase. Now I own the dvd to this one, as well as the dvd to their other pairing, SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES.
FOUL PLAY plays as a comedic mystery/thriller. It comes with genuinely suspenseful moments and serves up very real jeopardy for our heroine, yet takes great pains in maintaining its light touch. The movie's actually a mishmash of several masterful mysteries. In its thriller sensibilities, FOUL PLAY recalls to mind the great Hitchcock films of old. This movie even lifts two seminal moments straight from THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH and THE 39 STEPS: the sequence with the dying man warning our protagonist of an impending plot (which serves to propel the storyline) and also the climactic scene, wherein our heroes must prevent an assassination during an opera. Even the musical score, at times, is reminiscent of the strains used in Hitchcock classics. Not to mention - in its breezy affectations, abundance of quirky characters, and twisty plotting - this movie also borrows from that great cinematic souffle CHARADE.
In FOUL PLAY, just-divorced librarian Gloria Mundy (Goldie Hawn) takes a chance and picks up a man stranded on the road. She agrees to a movie date with this fella, who then later shows up at the movie theatre inconveniently stabbed, his dying words consisting of a prophecy and a warning: "There's going to be a murder" and "The dwarf - beware of the dwarf." That sets off a rollercoaster ride of harrowing events as Gloria attempts to figure things out, even as dead bodies insist on vanishing around her. Meanwhile, she becomes the target of mysterious and threatening men, including an albino, a man with a scar, and, yes... a dwarf. It's a good thing she's got a Not Ready for Prime Time player, aka Chevy Chase, at hand to save the day.
Speaking of whom, there's a reason why other comedians (Jim Carrey, Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell, etc) have had more glorious film careers than Chevy Chase. Chevy was and continues to be a mere one-note comedic actor, not by choice, mind you, but because the man has limited acting range. His better movies are FLETCH and VACATION, with this one, FOUL PLAY, being his very best cinematic effort. Here, his straight-faced physical comedy (honed in his brief tour in SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE) is in full flower as he absent-mindedly demolishes food-laden furniture and clumsily stumbles into the drink. He's also pretty handy with the dry one-liners. When Gloria laments the disappearance of yet another corpse, Chevy's character retorts with "Maybe he's embarrassed." Or, when regaling Gloria with the advantages of living in his boathouse: "On a clear day, you can see Alcatraz." It's too bad much of his later films finds him indulging in over-the-top crassness. But, at least, here, Chevy's performance is spot on.
But, even with his best acting effort, he still can't outshine the lovely and effortlessly winsome Goldie Hawn, whose work here will charm the viewer. We navigate thru a cinematic version of San Francisco thru her eyes and we are grounded to the film by her actions and experiences. The wholesomely cute Goldie makes this movie work. And, being partnered with the wry Chevy Chase, the movie is lifted by their undeniable rapport. And Dudley Moore, who makes the most of a limited on-screen role, is just wonderful as the clueless horndog Stanley Tibbets. Yes, the disco-manic scene in his bedroom is one hilarious highlight, though it just might be an abuse of the Bee Gees' "Staying Alive" song. Also fun to watch is old Burgess Meredith's karate-versed landlord and his apocalyptic *snicker* battle royale with the aged villainess. I won't even mention Billy Barty, except to say, "Poor little fella."
Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase, together, would find movie magic again in the screwball comedy SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES. But their chemistry there wouldn't be as potent as it is here, in the film which elevated their acting careers. Goldie Hawn would go on to make some more decent movies (PRIVATE BENJAMIN, SWING SHIFT, WILDCATS, OVERBOARD, etc.). Alas, for Chevy, excepting FLETCH and VACATION, it was downhill from here on out.
Description of Foul Play
A librarian is propelled into a world of chase scenes and bizarre attempts on her life after she hears a secret code.Genre: Feature Film-Comedy
Rating: PG
Release Date: 9-AUG-2005
Media Type: DVD
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