Greedy (1994)

I suppose saying that the end of this movie is great gives something away. Then again you don't know what that is so maybe not.

The plot of this film has Kirk Douglas dying as all of his relatives try to curry favor and get left his fortune. When every trick in the book fails they call in Michael J Fox as his long lost favorite nephew. Fox is now a down on his luck pro-bowler desperate for the cash the family promises him.

Some of what follows is sit-com material, some is highly inspired. The good part of it is that almost all of it is funny.

Certainly the film as a whole is not the best thing down the pike, but it has its moments, all of which make this film worth seeing.

Fmovies: Wow.This is possibly the most underrated/unknown comedies out there.I was introduced to it by a friend because he knew I was a massive Michael J.Fox fan and I was laughing my head off within the first few minutes.I think it took a good 15 minutes of the film before Fox came on screen,which I was surprised about,but it didn't matter in the slightest because of the other actors/actresses in the cast,playing his relatives.The late great Phil Hartman (The Simpsons)is one of the many familiar faces who plays a member of the family who are desperate to get their hands on their great uncle Joe's money,played with relish by an old Kirk Douglas in one of his last roles.They are desperately trying to stop the old man from leaving his fortune to his beautiful nurse Mollie.But not only do the Macteague family want what they think is rightfully theirs,they also hate each other,so brown nosing is taken to an whole new level, as is backstabbing and it is a joy to watch.This was one of the film's Michael J.Fox made when he was having personal problems because of his cruel twist of fate with Parkinson's disease,but looking at his performance in the film you'd never have known it.The highlight of the film is definitely the dialogue (scripted by the writers of City Slickers)especially in the scenes where the relatives are trying to get one over on each other.And a special mention has to go to director Jonathan (Yes Minister)Lynn's unfussy direction.There's no jerky camera-work or quick editing to highlight the performances.He didn't need to.He just pointed the camera at them and let them do their thing.And the lack of intrusive music in many of the film's scenes was refreshing as well.If you're a fan of comical films that have an edge and have a range of amusing characters,this wickedly funny film is highly recommended.

Greedy tells the simple story of a family who desperately crave their Uncle's (Kirk Douglas) massive fortune.From that simple premise,the script writers and the actors deliver one of the funniest comedies I've ever seen.The Mcteague family,which includes the late Phil Hartman,Ed Begley'JR and Bob Balaban,are one of the most believable families ever committed to celluloid.Let's face it a lot of us hate our families.We hate having family get together's,we sometimes get jealous of each other and try to outdo each other,well that's the kind of family we're talking about.The scenes where the relatives trade insults with each other are hysterical.Michael J.Fox plays another nephew of Joe and gives a typically naturally funny performance.He and Douglas don't share the screen until about half an hour into it,but when they do get together,their sparky banter is consistently funny.

I wish they would make more comedies like this nowadays.Most mainstream comedies now seem to be filled with stupid,over the top characters with beyond ridiculous situations.Most of the comedy in this is in the dialogue,although there are some hilarious physical moments but they're never stupid,just laugh out loud funny.The premise is slightly believable because I believe that we all have what it takes to become very greedy individuals,even if we might not like to admit it.Hell,we might not even notice it.

Greedy easily ranks as one of my favourite comedies and is a laugh riot from start to finish.And has their ever been a sexier woman on screen than Olivia D,Abo in this movie?

Greedy fmovies. This is film is about a very basic instinct in all of us, simply put forth in the title "Greed".

As the story unfolds the characters seem very familiar, people we have seen and known and loved. They are not evil people. They have slowly and simply given in to the lure of greed. Here is a story about a multi-millionaire uncle and his clan of relatives each trying to beat the other in pleasing their uncle to get quoted in his will. Even the nicest and most honest of them all (Michael J Fox) slowly get sucked into the plot and get into this run for money.

The story is an eye-opener. It gives us an opportunity to look into ourselves and our own set of values. It makes us introspect and re-prioritise our lives. How many times have we ourselves given in to the rut? Without meaning to hurt how many times have we actually fooled ourselves into believing that what we are doing is for a noble cause when actually all that we were actually interested in was the money?

the ending is great. It brings back faith to people who have become cynical enough to believe that good does not beget good in return always. It raises our hopes and makes us feel good about being simple and honest with ourselves. it is a must watch movie for the whole family.

Saw it before, and watched it again last night, even though I normally don't watch films twice. Period.

I think this is a brilliant film.

The humour in it is great, even though I knew what was coming. I mean: the fact that I remembered some of the lines from watching it a couple of years ago, while I can't remember what I had for dinner yesterday, speaks for itself. In my book anyway. :-)

Regardless of the comments, by others or myself, this film deserves a chance, so if you've never seen it I heartily recommend watching it. I'm (pretty) sure you'll love it.

Greedy has taken some of the plot situations in the Paramount classic If I Had A Million and carried them to incredible heights. It has a whole string of good performances topped off by one of the last performances by Kirk Douglas before he had his stroke.

Kirk plays the Richard Bennett part here, the millionaire who doesn't like almost all of his relatives, but gets a certain sadistic joy in seeing them perform like trained seals, trying to stay in his good graces. The only honest one of them is one of Ed Begley Jr.'s young sons who is just like that kid in If I Had a Million who started playing that record of I'll Be Glad When You're Dead You Rascal You.

Unlike Bennett, Douglas does not decide to drop parts of his fortune on eight random strangers. He just keeps putting his family through their paces until they decide to dig up Michael J. Fox, a nephew he actually liked when he was a kid.

Fox is a second string professional bowler who's got a TV producer he's involved with, Nancy Travis. The two of them invade Douglas's three ring circus of relatives and get put through their paces also. All the family is against Douglas's 'nurse' Olivia D'Abo who the family is afraid will get the whole inheritance.

Greedy is a nicely paced amusing comedy which I think most of us can identify with. I know I've had a relative or two I can't stand either, but am forced to be nice to for a variety of reasons. The relatives are all greedy, but Douglas is one sadistic creep as well. I'd catch it the next time it's on the tube.