This image-driven series shines an obnoxious pastel neon light on the 80-iest 80s movies around.
THAT’S SO 80s! takes a nostalgic trip down VHS memory lane, remembering some of the cheesiest movies from one of the cheesiest decades. Fellow movie connoisseur MOVIEROB joins forces with SLIP/THROUGH for a semi-regular column highlighting some of the best scenes (and fashion choices) of the era.
This edition of That’s So 80s takes aim at the blue-collar-turns-white-collar comedy, BREWSTER’S MILLIONS (1985).
Imagine mixing Gordon Gecko’s WALL STREET, with a heaping dose of Richard Pryor, and a pinch of BAD NEWS BEARS.
The ridiculous premise of this story takes a backseat to Pryor’s manic performance, which is the real highlight making this worth watching decades later.
This article is loaded with images, including quick retrospectives, and special 80s-themed ratings by the end
MOVIEROB says…
BREWSTER’S MILLIONS truly is one in a million because they were able to take a very serious story that has been filmed numerous times before and remake it as an all-out funny modern comedy.
They take two funny actors (Richard Pryor and John Candy) and turn them both into star baseball players. Actually, Candy, despite his weight even becomes a stud. The two work well off one another.
This movie has a real impressive list of future known actors who pop up in some very funny parts – Rick Moranis (GHOSTBUSTERS, HONEY I SHRUNK THE KIDS), Thova Feldshuh (THE WALKING DEAD, Mayor of Alexandria), Smirnov, and Grifasi… to name a few.
Plus, there are some great veterans with important roles – Hume Cronyn (COCOON – another 80s classic), Jerry Orbach (LAW & ORDER), Pat Hingle, and even David White (Larry Tate on BEWITCHED).
They successfully use the 80s style music and montage in the whole election part of the movie. It works so well. I also loved the whole twist of keeping it a secret because it leads to a lot of really funny scenes throughout.
SLIP/THROUGH – DAN says…
Joel Silver (LETHAL WEAPON, THE MATRIX) produces, and Walter Hill (THE WARRIORS) directs, in an unlikely behind the scenes collaboration for a comedy. Leading men, Richard Pryor and John Candy, are a bit more at home in the genre.
Pryor stars as an aging baseball player who inherits $300 million from a long lost relative. The twist is, in order to get his inheritance he has to spend $30 million in 30 days without having any assets to show for it. Candy plays his best friend, in ultimate SPACEBALLS sidekick mode, delivering a few solid laughs along the way.
This zany premise launches Pryor on an unlikely adventure, as he bounces off of the walls trying to hide his secret. Another challenge is actually spending the money. When you think of it, $30 million could be like $100 with inflation today. Brewster has to spend an incredible amount each and every day without owning anything for himself. The ways he manages to spend his cash ranges from ridiculous to brilliant scheming.
Pryor is the main draw reason to watch BREWSTER’S MILLIONS. Beginning his career as a stand-up comedian appearing on THE TONIGHT SHOW with Johnny Carson way back, Pryor actually had a much tamer act. However, most fans adore this comedic legend for his edgy stand-up albums, with THAT NIGGER’S CRAZY as his all-time best (and infinitely re-playable).
One wonders if Pryor’s role in BREWSTER’S MILLIONS reflects his rise to fame with success in Hollywood? People surely treated him differently, and he definitely would have much more responsibility weighing on him like Brewster does. I think, in a way, Pryor was commenting on how white people treated him differently once he had success. A lot of the scenarios in BREWSTER seem to reflect racial prejudices without hitting us over the head with the message.
Really though, interpretive elements percolate under the surface. This comedy confidently delivers the laughs, with a variety of jokes flying all over the place. Despite a predictable story, the characters make it worth the watch.
THAT’S SO 80S! RATINGS
* note: ratings are out of 5 *
RETRO REWIND RATING (AKA WHAT 80S US THOUGHT)
MOVIEROB
SLIP/THROUGH
FAST FORWARD RATING (AKA HOW DOES IT HOLD UP)
MOVIEROB
SLIP/THROUGH
SO, HOW 80S WAS IT?
MOVIEROB
SLIP/THROUGH
What do you think?
What 80s flick would you like to see featured?
Leave a comment below.
Make sure to check out MovieRob’s site, chock full of 1,000s of totally rad movie reviews.
Follow Dan on Twitter @slipthroughnerd
I really enjoyed this movie! I liked it when he got extra money to spend and he was so pi$$ed about it! 🙂
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Hahaha me too… the way he acts was so unexpected… i like how he just hired everyone he saw
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hilarious scene. especially since no one but us understands why 🙂
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hahaha
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I’m with Rob on this. I adore this movie and it always cracks me up!
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Thanks for commenting, David… There are a few good jokes in here.. I just love the way Pryor reacts all anxious when he learns about the inheritance.
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Cracks me up. Candy is a riot in this movie.
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You’re right. He’s got that full on SPACEBALLS energy in BREWSTERS
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Spaceballs Energy is now a thing I’m saying.
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hahahha it’s your’s
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Tnx Dave! I love Candy here too, he is a character with so much confidence which is the opposite of how he usually was in films
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That’s very true. I love his loyalty as well. Just so funny.
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Loyalty… guess just like barf 😉
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hahaah man’s best friend… clever, Rob 🙂
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Half man. Half dog. Im My own best friend
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Good stuff, but I was never a fan of this movie as I thought and still think there are funnier ones from the 80’s..
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I agree with ya Geoff… Pryor had a few good ones with Gene Wilder too….we ‘ve got some good comedies lined up… and a totally 80s horror flick coming after some Holiday movies…thanks for checking out Thats So 80s
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there are funnier ones of course, but this was ingenious plot wise
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Yes! The concept of spending that much money that fast is golden. It’ss so ripe for situational comedy.
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Yep. And pryor fid it sooo well!
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cant wait 4 the next one!!! 🙂
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yes… next time up we get festive… coming soon so stay tuned folks
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so cool Dan!!!! 🙂
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Haha It’s totally so rad working with you on these too Rob
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yeah dude! totally rad!
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Reblogged this on and commented:
Check out the second edition of my new collaboration with Dan of Slipthroughmovies where we dissect 80’s movies together. this time we took on Brewsters Millions (1985). Tnx Dan!!
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