In this slapstick riddled movie, a practical doctor meets a half crazy woman (and modern day stalker) while attending a music convention in San Francisco with his soon to be wife. As the schizo woman, played by Streisand, leaches onto the unsuspecting doctor, played by a handsome Ryan O'Neil, a myriad of jewel thieves and secret agents become tangled up in a mixed up game of "follow that suitcase." I know, it sounds a bit odd, but what do you expect? It's the 70's, everyone was on something in those days. So, suspend reality, embrace the comedy shtick of slapstick, and let the hilarity ensue.
Theoretically, this is a romantic comedy, somewhere along the lines of that TBS movie favorite Along Came Polly. But on the bright side, Barbara Streisand is actually funny and not nearly as obnoxious as Ben Stiller. At it's heart, it's a farce a la Mel Brooks - all comedic timing of slamming doors, wacky car chases and misplaced suitcases. If you're a fan of the comedic genius of Mr. Brooks, chances are, you'll really appreciate this movie.
Fast paced and highly exaggerated, if you don't keep up to speed you're likely to miss some of the movie's funniest and subtle moments. Sure, it's full of old comedic tricks (as an homage to comedies of the 1930s), but if you buy into it, it's actually quite funny. The movie's not crass or in your face like today's comedies, but it's thoroughly entertaining in its own right. I suppose by today's standards it's more cute than it is hilarious, but it has an endearing quality about it that many slapstick comedies of today lack. It keeps a big smile on your face and some big laughs in your belly - very satisfying if I do say so myself.
The cast is quite good and makes the movie as funny as it is; and not just because of Streisand's schnoz. Seriously, who let Toucan Sam in the room? You know what's interesting? If she tried to become an actress in today's Hollywood, she'd be laughed out of castings with that nose. Meanwhile, I have to deal with the monotone Heather Graham pretend she knows how to speak the English language, let alone understand how to be funny, just because she's got big breasts. Streisand with all her quirks, however, is impressively funny and quite beautiful as well as innocent in her youth and pre-diva days. Madeline Kahn is also hilarious in her first movie and first Golden Globe nominated role. Of course she would go on to become a Mel Brooks muse in several of his films. As the Dr.'s jilted fiance, Kahn plays the deadpan prude perfectly and understands comedic timing as if it's second nature. The men really play second fiddle to the women in this one - 70's woman's lib at it's best. Plus no bras were hurt in the filming of this movie.
If The Hangover is your gold standard of funny, you probably won't love the movie. It lacks the jaw dropping dick and fart jokes and doesn't include one naked stripper. (That noise you just heard was every straight male closing their web browsers and leaving TMMC in disgust). But if you're into comedy classics, let me recommend What's Up Doc, the American Film Institute's #61 pick for 100 Years, 100 Laughs. It may be a live action Looney Toons, but Babs Bunny is well worth a DO A MATINEE!
Check out the pretty bad theatrical trailer. Good lord, could you imagine if that's what trailers were like today!?
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