Cabin Boy (1994)

While a number of critics have discussed at length "Cabin Boy"'s allusions to earlier sea epics, such as "Mutiny on the Bounty", "Moby Dick" and "Humanoids of the Deep", surprisingly little attention has been devoted to it's social commentary. Although it may, perhaps, be an overstatement to call Chris Elliot's script "revolutionary", its message has a decidedly socialist bent. In fact, I would venture to say that none of Elliot's other work, prior to OR since "Cabin Boy" has had a comparable impact on the way ship captains treat their crew - or for that matter, on the labor movement in general in this country. It's safe to say that the success of "Cabin Boy" is a product not only of Elliot's vision, but also a fortunate case of being "the right film at the right time", so to speak.

Additionally, the cast must be credited. Brian Doyle-Murray, Russ Tamblyn and many others give the performances of their careers. The stand-out, of course, was Ritch Brinkley in a magnificent portrayal of Captain Greybar, captain of "The Filthy Whore." Far from the stereotypical old salt sea captain, Brinkley's Greybar is hard, harsh, irritable and irrascible, and yet even-handed and even sensitive, giving a textured character which is so clearly missing from many other sea films. Particularly touching is the scene when Elliot's character, Nathanial Mayweather, serves "fish-stick kitties" for the crew's lunch. Words cannot describe the emotion that Brinkley's face conveys. It's so touching because it's true!

While "Cabin Boy" has its flaws, I have no doubt that it will be greatly appreciated by landlubbers and sea captains alike, particularly those who, like myself, started their careers as lowly cabin boys.

Fmovies: I would have a hard time saying that this is a hilarious movie, but it's got some really good stuff to it. The film is just plain odd from beginning to end. Whoever thought this stuff up (I guess that would be Adam Resnick and Chris Elliot) has quite an imagination. As far as the comedy goes, it's actually pretty funny most of the time. I don't think I ever found myself really busting up, but I did laugh quite a few times. If you liked Chris Elliott's comedy from Saturday Night Live, than I would hope that you find this film funny.

The cast was pretty good, nothing much to complain about there. Chris Elliott did a good job with his role, pretty darn good for a first starring role. All of the shipmate characters were very well done and fun to watch. Melora Walters was personal fav of mine. I don't think I've ever seen her in anything else, but she looks absolutely fantastic in this film. Ricki Lake was an odd character/actor in the film. Her character was beyond strange, and the fact that the character was played by Ricki Lake just makes it even stranger. I also liked the fairly small role played by Mike Starr. Another high point for me was seeing Andy Richter from "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" in the film. Andy seems like such a likeable guy. There is also a nice cameo of David Letterman in the film, personally, I'm not a fan of Letterman's television show, but nonetheless he was actually pretty funny in his role/cameo.

I would say that if you like Chris Elliott's comedy from Saturday Night Live, then you should go ahead an give this film a chance. It's not the greatest film you'll ever see, but it's fun and entertaining. Also, it's only 80 minutes of your life...I'm sure you can spare 80 minutes. Enjoy the film, and thanks for reading.

-Chris

Fuse literary themes like Candide and the Odyssey with Chris Elliott's relentless style of moronic comedy and you have a movie people will either love or hate. A wicked cast and classic special effects make up for a somewhat lethargic pace in action, but the booty of comedy in this movie make up for the long nights at sea. Watch it, own it, love it. I do.

Cabin Boy fmovies. Chris Elliott's sense of humor is of the bizarre kind, and requires for the deepest understanding thereof on all levels an extremely cultivated intellect and simultaneous rejection of that traditionally conceived as the predominating cultivated aesthetic. That being said, you will not, I'm sure, misunderstand my assertion that this film is not for everyone. Perhaps it is not even for you. As you see, it has received paltry scores from the greatest part of the spectating crowds who vote on IMDb.com; but should one follow them? They have also selected such trash as Donnie Darko for placement among their trophy shelf of film. I reaffirm therefore the peculiar genial and aesthetic disposition requisite fully to enjoy Cabin Boy. It is as though one must become dumb and wise at the same time, one must see with the eyes of a fool and the heart of a sage. The film student, who possesses in varied solution this talent, will also notice how exquisite, how carefully adorned the sets are, how precise the sceneries, how composed the artful tableaux, how peerless and true the cast, how poetic each word spoken.

Face it, we all have different senses of humor, so a movie like "Cabin Boy" will appeal strongly to some, while others will despise it. Personally this movie fits my style of comedy perfectly. I love non-sequiturs, absurdity, and characters who are insanely quirky. Chris Elliot, as another reviewer pointed out, seems to have been ahead of his time. The style of comedy he honed on the Letterman show and the "Get a Life" sitcom was pure absurdist brilliance, and it shines through in this movie.

A few of my favorite quotes from the movie (and I'm going mostly from memory here):

`Half man plus half shark equals one complete gentleman.' (Nathaniel)

`I'm sorry, I was just thinking how much fun it is to roast pumpkin seeds.' (Nathaniel)

`Gum.' (Kenny)

`Would you like to buy a monkey?' (Dave)

`Well. thanks for that. whatever that was.' (Nathaniel)

`I'm drawn to you, even though you have the breeding of a carnival barker.' (Nathaniel)

`I just don't get it! She seems totally uninterested in me, despite my smothering obsessiveness!' (Nathaniel)

`Oddly enough, it kind of tastes like marzipan!' (Nathaniel)

Nathaniel: `I love sitting up here, looking at those bright, twinkly things in the sky, I forget their technical name.' Trina: `Stars.' Nathaniel: `Whatever.'

How can anyone not love these lines? Ah, diff'rent strokes, I guess. Another favorite scene of mine is when "Cappy" goes to sleep nestled up to Chris and they wake up in each other's arms the following morning. Just the expression on Chris' face while sleeping is so glorious.

All the complaints I've seen about Elliot's demeanor indicate to me that people have completely missed the point. They talk about how annoying and whiny he is, but that's the whole point of his character in this film: a rich snotty kid who is forced to endure the antics of those from the less privileged caste (but who are no less intellectually challenged, natch).

I typically don't like comedy movies, because they're just way too formulaic and rigid--I tend to prefer sketch comedy or stand-up/improvisation. But with this movie, I can't stop laughing. I'm always eager to see where Chris Elliot will pop up next, and sadly it's been too long. But As Nathaniel one said to Chocky, "I shan't forget you!"

Those who gained their initial fame on television -- even at the highest level and with top popularity -- have often found their feature films finishing at the other end of the scale. Bill Cosby and Ray Romano are two examples of this -- Bill Murray one of the few exceptions.

Chevy Chase has had some sporadic success, and even Martin Short -- one of the comedic geniuses of all-time -- has found his big-screen offerings sporadic.

I think one of the reasons is that we are just too used to seeing them on the small screen, and/or in the characters/personas with which we have become accustomed. It also seems that their films often seem to be stories which would lend them to 10- or 12-minute skits, or the 22 minutes or so contained within a half hour program.

Chris Elliott avoids this completely in this funny presentation. He succeeds in taking this character over-the-top, with the same quirky skill we've seen him employ on television so often.

At 80 minutes, he also avoids making it overlong, and the supporting cast and Letterman's cameo are all well-presented, too.

It's "quirkiness" is likely the reason this film didn't receive a higher overall rating in this site, and among professional reviewers.

However, for me it's a thoroughly entertaining and engaging movie, and best of all, funny as hell.