Saturday, September 12, 2020

All of Me

Movie Name: All of Me
Year of Release: 1984
Director: Carl Reiner
Starring: Steve Martin, Lily Tomlin, Victoria Tennant, Richard Libertini, Dana Elcar, Madolyn Smith Osborne, Jason Bernard, Selma Diamond, Gailard Sartain, Neva Patterson, Michael Ensign, Nan Martin
Genre: Comedy
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 6 

Synopsis and Review:
The career path and association of Carl Reiner and Steve Martin continued in the 80s, following "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid" and "The Man with Two Brains". "All of Me", based on the novel by Edwin Davis and with a screenplay by Phil Alden Robinson (who went on to direct "Field of Dreams", "Sneakers" and "The Sum of All Fears"), focuses its story on Roger Cobb, a successful and ambitions attorney, who wants to make partner in the firm he works at, but secretly has always wanted to have a career in music. One of the cases he has to tackle involves a rich, self centered heiress, who has little time to live, and for some reason has arranged to have her soul transferred to the body of the daughter of her stableman. Things however don't go exactly according to plan, and as she passes on, her soul finds herself in Roger's body, both of whom constantly arguing and bickering at each other. As it turns out, the daughter of the stableman had some sinister plans of her own, and it will take all of Roger and Edwina's ingenuity to foil them.
"All of Me" is a film that lives from the superlative talents of its stars. Both Steve Martin and Lily Tomlin are great in the film, and Martin in particular, gets to showcase some very inspired moments of physical humor that are simply fantastic. As far as the story is concerned and the supporting cast themselves, they provide enough context and backdrop for these talented comedians to showcase their virtuosity. The banter between Steve Martin and Lily Tomlin is fantastic, something one can just listen to all day, and for that alone this film is worth watching. The film has the typical 80s look and feel (very much akin to some John Hughes's films, such as "Sixteen Candles" and even "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"), but aside from that somewhat generic touch, it's ingeniously entertaining (even if it lacks a bite, or even a Blake Edwards inspired subversion on genre reversal). Worth watching. 

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