May 12, 1989
Vestron Pictures
Comedy, Sci-Fi, Romance, Musical
VHS
B+
This last of my movies from the '80s was actually made in '87 and released to indifference two years later, but it holds up as one of the gems of the decade. It is funny, sweet, romantic, sexy, giddy, colorful, and yes, very '80s in the best sense. When three furry but attractive-when-shaven aliens land in the San Fernando Valley, it's hard to say which side has more of a culture shock. They specifically land in the pool of the house that Valerie (Geena Davis) shares with her philandering fiance Ted (Charles Rocket). The aliens are played by Davis's then-husband Jeff Goldblum (as Mac), Jim Carrey (as Wiploc), and Damon Wayans (as Zeebo). Note, this is even before Carrey was "the white guy" on Wayans's In Living Color. It's so long ago that Carrey and Wayans are described as "stand-up comics" on the videobox I have!And of course this movie "introduces" Julie Brown (despite her MTV appearances and indeed earlier movie roles). Her song inspired this movie's title and concept, and she cowrote this movie. There are even scenes, notably "Because I'm a Blond," that are basically just music videos. (The soundtrack also contains a couple B-52s songs.) But mostly Brown's contribution is as the best friend/boss you wish you had, Candy Pink. The other cast member of note is the versatile Michael McKean as Woody the pool guy.
I said of Foul Play that I couldn't think of a cuter onscreen couple than Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn, but Goldblum and Davis come close. They both are gorgeous here, and often underdressed, so they're certainly attractive separately, but together? Hubba-hubba! While Wiploc and Zeebo are mostly interested in partying, leader Mac is mostly interested in Valerie, and he's kind and sympathetic to her, even when she's confused about her fickle fiance. The aliens have a "love touch," which in some scenes leads to questionable humor (including two ostensibly straight cops that fall for each other much less naturally than the pair in Who's That Girl), but also leads to a lovely love scene between Mac and Valerie. You'll wonder why she's hung up on Ted so long, but it gives the plot what little conflict it has. I almost went with an A- on this movie, because it is such fun in so many ways, but it is a bit too meandering. But what a journey!This is pretty obscure, but Larri Thomas is a Curl Up and Dye Dancer and was Woman in Carriage in Mary Poppins. Another couple of CUaD Dancers, twins Karen and Sharon Owens, danced in Girls Just Want to Have Fun. Cowriter Terrence McNally plays the Soap Opera Doctor here and was the Policeman in Nine to Five. And there are a few TV faces, from Larry Linville to Nedra Volz to one of the Head of the Class kids.
