Overboard

Rating:
Summary: Funny and Entertaining
Review: Imagine Goldie Hawn as a stuck-up millionaire boating along the coast in her yacht. She has an obnoxiously wimpy husband played by Edward Herrmann and a mother who would have been a perfect fit as Mrs. Howell on "Gilligan's Island." While she is lording over the crew she decides that she needs her closet remodeled and asks local carpenter and real-life husband Kurt Russell, playing Dean Proffitt, to do the remodeling. Kurt plays a rather down-to-earth fellow who quickly learns to dislike Joanna Stayton (Hawn) as she complains about every single detail. The encounter ends with Proffitt's tools and Proffitt himself in the ocean, and the yacht sailing away.

In a moment of movie irony Joanna falls off the yacht, hits her head and loses her memory. Initially she continues to be obnoxious until Dean Proffitt identifies her as his wife Annie Proffitt. When Proffitt initially brings Annie home she is unable to believe she ever lived in the messy, rustic Proffitt home. At first Dean and his four children almost treat Joanna/Annie almost as a slave. But as time progresses Annie slowly takes charge of Dean and the children, and Dean realizes that he is falling for Annie.

Of course we know there is a point where Annie will wake up to the fact that the tumbledown shack is not her true home and neither is she Annie Proffitt. I knew the relationship could come to no good end as long as Annie did not know the truth, and the point where she learns the truth is one of the best, though saddest, scenes in the movie. Of course there is a measure of predictability in how the movie ends, but it is all fun.

The pleasure in this movie is that it is entertaining from beginning to end. Garry Marshall, who also directed "Pretty Woman," has a knack for creating movies about characters that are just a bit larger than life, but close enough to be believable. His sense of irony and humor border on the absurd, but keep far enough away that you continue to buy the fantasy. The end result is a movie that is frequently funny and often touching, and at the end you realize you have come to like the characters and wish them well.

Also appearing are the always marvelous Hector Elizondo and Roddy McDowall, adding spice to the characters. Even the lesser known actors get a chance to provide some very funny moments, such as the Coast Guard crewmen near the end of the movie.

This movie is a popcorn winner!


Rating:
Summary: An Underratd Actor
Review: Russell is an underrated actor. I don't think he's ever been in a bad movie. He can do comedy, as he's done in "Big Trouble in Little China" and "Captain Ron," and he can do serious roles, as he did in "Soldier" and "Stargate." There are even ones in between, as in the "Escape from" movies. As for Hawn, I've only seen her in "Private Benjamin," in which she showed a lot of comedic talent. Here, both come together in the very funny "Overboard," the plot of which I don't discuss, since other reviews have covered it. All I can say is that this is a very funny movie, showcasing both the talents of Russell and Hawn, and if you're looking for a good time, then you should take a look at this film.