Foul Play (1978)

Chevy Chase is not a great comedian, at least not anymore, but at one point in his career he WAS funny. He had talent. This film proves it. Although most of us today remember him fondly as the dad from the "Vacation" movies, he plays a different type of character here, and it is effective. He's still humorous (I've never seen him play a 100% serious dramatic role) but less stupid than usual, and his character - a police officer - calls for a more realistic attitude.

He's assigned to help Goldie Hawn's character in the film, who is being pursued by an albino and the Catholic church after a microchip is given to her by a dying man on the street. After a failed assassination attempt, she calls the police, but only Chase believes her.

Hawn lives in an apartment building maintained by the late Burgess Meredith. This was two years after the success of "Rocky" and Meredith was making a name for himself with the younger crowds. The film, as a result, lends him a solid role that he fulfills.

The film isn't an uproarious comedy but it is very entertaining and occasionally quite funny. Best viewed late at night on the weekend.

Fmovies: Foul Play is delectably politically-incorrect.The bad guys are an albino, a Catholic, and a dwarf. Dudley Moore's character in this movie is surely where Austin Powers' character was born. Is this a cult classic? It should be.

Right, just for a change, I have decided to review a film that I didn't originally see on my Mum and Dad's old Phillips V2000 Video player. Instead, I saw this one on the first weekend (a Saturday to be precise), when it went on general release throughout the U.k's Cinema's, and, once again, it left it's mark.

You see, being around eleven years old, at that time, with certain manly feelings (no doubt, you get my drift) beginning to arise (no pun intended), I found myself falling bang, head over heals in love/lust with Goldie Hawn (after seeing her for the first time in this film).

She was then, still is, and, no doubt, always will be, a BABE! Added to which, she's not a bad Actress, either!

For me, 1978 was an awesome year, especially where Films are concerned. I mean, so far I have taken the time to review just three films for the IMDB (The Silent Partner, The Fury, and this one), and all three were released during this year.

Strange how puberty can have such an effect on a young man's out-look on life, isn't it?

Anyway, this aside, what do I actually think of the Film itself?

I LOVE IT!

It's funny, intense, exciting... In short, I find it a pure joy to watch, and some! In fact, it's pure class (of a 1970's style).

Most notable, aside from Chase and Hawn that is, are Dudley Moore's excellent portrayal of an English Swinger in 1970's San Francisco (Stanley Tibbets); Billy Barty's unfortunate J.J.MacKuan (the scene where he gets seven shades beaten out of him by Hawn's Gloria, after she mistakes him for someone else, is, without a doubt, one of the funniest ever put to film); the old Japanese couple in the back seat of the Limo, as Chase and Hawn race to get to the Opera house; and not forgetting the two old ladies, playing a very dodgy game of Scrabble in their Apartment.

I could go on for hours about this film, but I wont. Instead, I'll just say do what ever you need to, to see it. Beg, borrow, steal (Uh... perhaps you shouldn't go that far) a copy if you have to! But see it, you must!

Trust me, you wont regret doing so, and remember...

Beware the Dwarf!!!

Foul Play fmovies. This is a very funny film, even though it is quite old now and most of the cast is long gone. The film belongs to Goldie Hawn. It really shows off her comedic talent as the height of her long career. The supporting cast is excellent, even Chevy Chase which i never cared for as an actor. He is now a cast member of Community, in which he does a great job. As for the film, it is the story of a young woman in the wrong place at the wrong time, and unfortunately finding herself involved in an assassination plot. She has to beware of the midgets, they are taking over the world, if you've seen it then you understand. Burgess Meredith has some of the funniest scenes. She also has to beware of an up and coming Dudley Moore, doing what he does best, while trying to keep herself from getting murdered. Will she succeed? Watch it and see. Also, the movie does run a little too long, perhaps some editing could have made it a 10. Remember this is a light-hearted comedy, so bring your popcorn, cherry coke and light heart and you will enjoy it.

The movies served as my babysitter in the late seventies, and watching the new DVD release of Foul Play bought back memories of good times, and the very well done DVD transfer was a joy to watch and listen to.

I can't think of a better movie that puts the late seventies in to perspective; the comedy is simple, the relationships between the characters is lighthearted; heck, even funnier to me is Chevy's offering of a 'joint' to goldie, then saying, "you know they say the cops have the best dope", an ironic pre "war on drugs" line when people had perspective on such things.

The acting is really quite good, Chevy looks great as a young man, and Goldie is absolutely stunning. The cinematography is well done, crisp and clear lighting with that seventies film stock quality that seems better in many ways than the heavily digitally processed look of today. It's refreshing to see, AND to hear- the 5.1 surround was surprisingly good, very clear, and well thought out.

If you are like me, and remember seeing this movie in the late seventies, and would like a treat, rent or buy Foul Play on DVD, a true pleasure indeed.

From the beginning when Chevy Chase flirts with Goldie Hawn you get the idea it is going to be offbeat but nothing prepares you for the gems in this movie. The friends, the good guys, the bad guys, even a snake are not always who they seem to be. The target even more of a surprise in a movie that includes Japanese tourists, an albino, a dwarf, a bible salesman, an orchestra conductor, the pope, and the most straight laced librarian in San Francisco. Chevy Chase is the copy you expect from a movie set in San Francisco but nothing else is.

Never have I seen anything like the scene between Ms. Roberts and Mr. Meredith. But there is still a car chase and an opera with a final scene more dramatic than you realize until the sound of one man clapping makes you laugh again and realize how well this whole thing was put together. Take a second curtain call at the end. You all deserve it.