Father of the Bride (released in 1991) - Starring Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, and Kimberly Williams-Paisley

Father of the Bride is a Musical Comedy movie starring Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Martin Short in the pivotal roles. This is a remake of the 1950 movie which had the same name and is directed by Charles Shyer. This feel good movie has inspired many Hallmark Commercials and is considered as the epitome of good peerless fun.
Steve Martin stars as George Banks, a neurotic upmarket Shoe entrepreneur who lives a pretty grand life in the suburbs with his family. His happy family consists of Wife-Nina, Daughter-Annie and Son (Matty). George's idyllic life is shattered when Annie announces her plans to get married to Bryan Mackenzie whom she has known only for few months. Bryan belongs to a well-to- do family in Bel-Air and plans a wedding in 3 months. George considers it a sacrilege to rush in to the wedding but has to agree because of Annie's insistence. Slowly his neurosis and tension about the suitability of Bryan drives George totally insane. The final straw which breaks the camels back come from Franck, a crazy weird wedding planner with a claustrophobic accent who informs him the cost of the wedding i.e 250 dollars per head. George wows to sabotage Bryan and save his Annie and his money.
Nina, the mother of the bride to be becomes super excited and soon delves in with Franck matching ribbons and choosing dresses. She fails to recognize the emotional agony George is going through as the D-day nears by. One of the most hilarious scenes is the one where George, Nina and Annie look through the wedding planners catalog and George goes bananas looking at the cakes, ribbons, flowers and venues. Frank in his customary drawl makes his point sidestepping all the objections to get himself the ultimate expensive wedding.



George cannot bear the fact that Annie will soon be gone from his life. He considers her his little girl whom Bryan is trying to steal. Soon he goes snooping all over Bryan's place looking for clues to get the wedding canceled. But as his snooping succeeds he faces the undeniable fact that Annie, his little girl has grown up and can build a life on her own. He understands that he will never come home to see her in the kitchen with her pajamas and socks. This realization makes him bring about a reconciliation with Bryan and the wedding goes full steam ahead.
In the most touching moments, George sees Annie as she is, a woman ready to take on life on her own. In fact she is the one who steadies George during the long walk on the aisle to give away the bride. George lets go off Annie and looks forward to an empty nest with Nina.
Father of the Bride is one of the most successful movies of the the year and was rightfully the critics favorite. It is number 92 on Bravo's “100 funniest movies of all times”. A great movie for the family it has a great sound track which inspires the senses. Steve Martin as usual gives a great comic performance, but the surprise package is Diane Keaton who flawlessly portrays the level headed Nina. So get ready with all your tissues to enjoy this movie about a father growing up to let go off his beautiful daughter.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (released in 1988) - a comedy starring greats such as Michael Caine and Steve Martin

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels stars Michael Caine, Steve Martin and Glenne Headley in the lead roles. Directed by Frank Oz this comedy film is loosely adapted from the 1964 movie, Bed Time Story.
Lawrence Jamieson is a suave con artist who preys on wealthy women on the French Riviera under the benevolent protection of the inspector Andre, who takes a cut from the spoils. But soon their trade suffers loses due to the activities of another con called The Jackal. Lawrence assumes another small time crook Freddy to be The Jackal and offers to tutor him. Freddy soon finds himself as the sidekick who does not achieve anything from the con. Soon irritated by Lawrence's behavior Freddy plans to strike out on his own and Lawrence proposes the wager. Lawrence informs him that the town was too small to hold both of them and thus the first one to con 50000 dollars off their victim would get the opportunity to stay and Freddy agrees to the wager.
Fredy and Lawrence zero in on Janet Colgate, an airhead heiress. Freddy disguises himself as a paraplegic sailor on a wheel chair who desperately needs 50000 dollars for his treatment. Janet falls for this line and assures him of that amount. Lawrence enters the plot as the psychiatrist who can provide this wonder cure. Soon begins the game of one one-upmanship between Freddy and Lawrence to get one up on Janet's sympathies.



I find these to be one of the real comic tracks of all times, the scenes of the cure. You have the uptight Lawrence playing the psychiatrist who almost tortures Freddy who tries hard to swallow the pain. Its hard keep yourself from laughing hard as Lawrence stamps and prods and hits the supposedly unfeeling legs of Freddy. Anytime you feel low just go to these priceless scenes to give you the instant upliftment.
Lawrence discovers that Janet is not wealthy and she in-fact has to pool all her resources to pay for the treatment. Impressed by her good heart, the gallant Lawrence calls of the bet. Freddy cheekily agrees and wagers a change. He proposes that whoever manages to bed Janet first will remain in the town and Lawrence reluctantly agrees to it. Freddy then manipulates some English sailors to capture Lawrence and goes to Janet and informs her about the miracle cure of love. But Lawrence frees himself from the sailors, and informs them of Freddy's intentions and they capture Freddy for their unruly party. Freddy again reaches Janet and they kiss and undress to make love. Lawrence accepts his defeat with grace and waits for Freddy in his house, but is soon confronted by the tearful Janet who informs him that Freddy had robbed her of 50000 dollars. A gallant Lawrence gives her the money and puts her on the plane and informs Andre who soon captures Freddy. As Lawrence admonishes Fredy of his behavior, he is informed by the raving ranting Freddy that they have been taken by a ride by Janet who is really the Jackal intent on conning them.
As they assess their loss at Lawrence's villa, Janet makes in an appearance as Paula the Realtor, leading a pack of wealthy retirees and they all join hands to find new prey. This movie is one of the funniest movies of the century, sure to lift you mood. All the three actors blow the socks of your feet with their flawless performances and are the favorite of the critics. The audience also gave them their thumbs up as Dirty Rotten Scoundrels became one of the highest grosser of 1988.

Three Amigos (released in 1986) - A musical comedy starring Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, and Martin Short

Steve Martin, Chevy Chase and Micheal Short star in this Musical comedy of 1986 and is directed by John Landis. The movie is co-scripted by Steve Martin who provides the ultimate comic touch, the real “Steve Martin” touch.
The movie opens with a raid in Santo Poco, a small village in Mexico by the Ruthless bandit El Guapo and his men. Carmen the daughter of the village head prays for a hero to save them and on one of her visits to the church sees the American silent movie featuring the three Amigos. Taking them to be real super heroes, she sends a telegram for help. But the clerk at the telegraph office whittles down her message as she does not have enough to pay.
Meanwhile in Los Angeles, Lucky Day, Dusty Bottoms and Ned Neerlander star as the three Amigos in the movie series. They demand a price hike from the studio head who fires them for their temerity and evict them from their houses. Down in luck and out in the streets they receive Carmen's telegram and mistaking her appeal as an invitation for making a movie with El Guapo, they break in to the studios costume room, steal the costumes and flee across the border to Mexico.



They reach a “cantina” near the village and are mistaken as associates of a sharp shooting German Pilot who has wreaked havoc at the bar. I really like this sequence when the three amigos actually belt out the song “my Little Buttercup” to the mean scraggy crowd at the bar. Its hard to keep a straight face through out the sequences and I wonder how the actors did it. They are found by the German and in the mix up that follows they are put up at the best houses and are flown to the village. Carmen soon arrives to bring them home. At the village they are feted and treated and soon some minor bandits arrive to get their protection money. Mistaking them to be talent scouts, the Amigos put up a show which scares the wits out of the bandits and they ride away. The ecstatic villagers celebrate and keep them in style.
El Guapo swears to find the Amigos and kill them by morning and rides into the village. As the truth dawns, the Amigo's are scared witless and beg forgiveness from El Guapo. El Guapo punishes the villagers and loots them, as the Amigos leave in disgrace. He kidnaps Carmen and intends to make her his bride to punish her for her involvement. As the Amigos trudge their way back home, Ned reminds them that they have none waiting for them. He exhorts them to go back and at least try to save Carmen and be real heroes. After many disagreements they come together to find Guapo's hide out and soon follow the German plane which delivers ammunition for the gang. Amidst the celebrations of the bandits wedding the Amigos sneak in to the hideout only to be caught. The German Pilot gets in to a shooting match with Ned and he wins to give them enough time to escape. As the Amigos reach the village they exhorts the villagers to fight the evil bandit. El Guapo in his last raid is brought down by the combined might and the Amigos ride in the the sun set as real heroes.
This movie was well received by critics and audience alike and is well crafted. I feel the funny quotient diminishes as the movie progresses, but still is eminently watchable.

All of Me (released in 1984) - a fantasy comedy starring Steve Martin and Lily Tomlin

This romantic comedy stars Steve Martin and Lily Tomlin along with Victoria Tennant in the lead roles. This film is based on the book “Me Too” by Edwin Davis. Directed by Carl Reiner, All Of Me is considered to be one of the best works of Steve Martin.
Martin plays Roger Cobb, an upmarket New York attorney who moon lights as a Jazz Musician. He has a well to do law practice and is dating his boss's daughter. Roger wants more out of his life but his girlfriend and his boss keep him on a tight leash. His uneventful life changes when he is summoned to an eccentric, spoilt millionairess, Edwina Cutwater's house. Edwina is terminally ill and requests Roger to make her last will and testament.
Edwina plans to transfer her spirit on to the youthful body of Terry, her stableman's daughter with the help of Prahka Lakha, an eastern swami who specializes in tantra. But all the planning fails as Roger comes during the transference ceremony and Edwina ends up in Roger's body. So with two spirits vying for control, Roger on the left and Edwina on the right, a laugh riot ensues.



With two crazy ditsy spirits in one body things become complicated, it is definitely hilarious to watch Roger and Edwina trying to walk out the body, Edwina trying to control the courtroom when Roger's spirit sleeps, when Roger is with his abrasive girlfriend and the most hilarious one is Roger trying to relieve himself in the mens bath room. These scenes are vintage Steve Martin and needs to be kept alive for future generations to come.
As Edwina and Roger fight for control, Roger's life go downhill. He looses his job and his girl friend leaves him. With that comes a sense of liberation and he is free to be the Jazz musician he wants to be. Soon a truce is signed and slowly Edwina also finds that she likes him. This “like” turns to love, but things get murkier as Terry the waif turns out to be Terry the gold digger. Never believing the soul transference business Terry soon tries to usurp Edwina's fortune and it is up to the split up duo to put an end to her evil designs.
Roger unmasks Terry's intentions and faced with the prospect of jail, Terry decides to move in to a near by horse's body and enables Edwina to get in to hers. Roger and Edwina get married to enjoy her limitless fortune for days to come.
This movie was a box office success and opened to rave reviews. The performances are top notch and Steve Martin outstrips all actors by a mile. Lily Tomlin and Steve Martin were nominated for the Golden Globes for her role as Edwina Cutwater and Roger Cobb. Steve Also won the best actor award from the National society of film critics and the New York Film Critics Circle. The humor may be little far fetched towards the end, but the split personality scenes itself make the movie worth while.

Roxanne (released in 1987) - a comedy in a small town, starring Steve Martin and Daryl Hannah

Roxanne, starring Steve Martin and Daryl Hannah in the lead was released in 1987. This comedy is adapted from the verse play Cyrano de Bergerac by the French Author Edmond Rostand. The screen play was written by Steve Martin and is directed by Fred Shepisi.
Napoleon had once famously remarked that he preferred men with long noses, but CD Bales the Fire chief of Pacific North west would beg to differ. Steve Martin stars as Bales, the acrobatic do gooder fire chief who has a humongous nose. This fleshy accessory on his face makes his life miserable and his love life bitter. Bales is very sensitive about his nose matters and people who know him never mention this twitchy subject. The object of his affection is Roxanne, an astronomer, beautiful as a star she watches. Roxanne is in love with Chris, a dim witted fireman whom Bales cannot stand.
But the gallant Bales does not come in between Roxanne's love and suppresses his feelings. His only outlet being the poems he writes which he allows Chris to submit before his lady love as his own. Another person in this loop is Dixie, Bale's sister who keeps this secret. Life moves on with Roxanne watching comets, and Bale's trying to move on with his life with another woman.



Roxanne soon finds herself dumped by Chris, who falls for another woman in another town. He leaves town after writing her a long letter. Dixie tells her the truth about the poems and a devastated Roxanne confronts Bales. She accuses him of leading her on with a doomed relationship with an incompatible guy. A cornered Bales hits back telling Roxanne, that her quest for a perfect handsome guy was the root cause for her condition. As they argue and part but somewhere a spark is lit. In the end they discover the true love for each other and are soon engaged. Roxanne tells her besotted lover that his long nose gives him character and now would consider a flat nose too bland and boring. As the nosy angst ends for C.D. Bales, curtain draws on this happy ending.
Steve Martin was widely appreciated for his role as CD Bales and this won him a Golden Globe nomination for the Best Actor. He also won the National Society of Film Critics Award, Writers Guild of America Award and Los Angeles Film Critics Award for Best Actor. This delightful romantic comedy also finds its place among Bravo's “100 funniest movies of the century”. Steve Martin who essays the role of CD Bales pays homage to the original by taking the name of Cyreno de Bergerac (CD) and considered this as a watershed movie of his career.
This movie has many slapstick comedy moments which tickles your funny bone. Just do not go looking for high brow satire for you will be sorely disappointed. Enjoy the show and see the funny nosy man win his love and I can guarantee that you will not be disappointed.

The Man with Two Brains (released in 1983) - A comedy film starring Steve Martin and Kathleen Turner

This American comic caper stars Steve Martin and Kathleen Turner and is directed by Carl Reiner. The story is about the adventures of a brain surgeon with a gold digger wife.
Dr. Michael Hfuhruhurr is a widowed brain Surgeon worth millions known for his pioneering cranial screw top surgery. Dolores Benedict is the femme fatale who sends her latest husband to the grave through her evil machinations. The two meet when Micheal saves Dolores's life and the inevitable follows. Dolores ensnares him in her love and the two get married.
Michael after the wedding discovers that his wife is a gold digging slut and a nagging hag. He soon gets frustrated by Dolores frigidness and is tormented by the fact that their marriage becomes a sham. Michael becomes friends with mad scientist Dr. Alfred Necessiter who has developed a method to store brains alive in a jar filled with liquids. With all this mad nerds, an elevator killer who kills women by injecting window cleaner completes the story.
Michael in one of his visits to Necessiter falls in love with a brain of Anne Uumellmahaye stored in the lab. He discuses with the doctor the means of bringing Anne a body. So brainstorming sessions throw up suggestions like transplanting the brain to a barrel or to a gorilla. All these suggestions are shot down as sex would be a great stumbling block. At last the doctor suggests transplanting Anne to a recently deceased female using Micheal's cranial screw top surgery. So begins the quest for the female.



Meanwhile a jealous Dolores finds out about the romance between the Brain and Michael and attempts to kill Anne. Michael is totally enraged and throws her out of his money and life. He immediately resolves to make a kill for Anne and finds that he is unable to do it. He even tries to kill to pass on the blame to the Elevator killer and still returns empty handed. On one such occasion he returns to find Dolores Killed by the serial killer and he rushes to the lab with her body. The police pursue them, but Micheal and Necessiter successfully transplant Anne brain to bring her alive. Micheal but is electrocuted during the chase and falls in to a coma. When he awakes after six month he is overjoyed with the new Dolores who unfortunately has a overeating disorder. But in-spite of the weighty issues Micheal and Anne live happily ever after.
This movie was considered one of the best comedies of the century by Today magazine. The high point of the movie is its engaging pace and the crackling one liners. Steve Martin as usual is in top form with his over the edge, neurotic doctor act and Kathleen Turner turns the heat on with her scheming vamp portrayal. Everything right from the names to the serial killer is covered with the thick coat of comedy, so much that clutching your stomach due to uncontrollable mirth is the only thing left to do. If you have had a tiring day and need to rest those brains, get in to the brain surgery room with Dr. Michael Hfuhruhurr.

Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (released in 1982) - A homage to the film noir concept, starring Steve Martin

If you take scenes from the pulp detective movies of the 1940's and 50's and create a story based on those, you would get “Dead men don't wear plaid”. Directed by Carl Reiner, this 1982 musical comedy stars Steve Martin and Rachel Ward. The many characters are original actors from yesteryear films like the Exterminator, The killers, Big sleep etc. The footages used involve actors like Humphrey Bogart, Bette Davis, Ingrid Bergman, Alan Ladd, Kirk Douglas, Ava Gardner, Cary Grant etc. The editor Bud Collins does deserve credit for linking the yesteryear classics with the current footage.
When John Hayward, noted Scientist and cheese maker dies, his daughter Juliet hires the famous detective Rigby to investigate his death. Rigby has his own psychological demons, as he flows in to a rage on hearing the word cleaning lady as his father had run away with one. He almost throttles one in Juliet's house. This one gem of a scene itself is a warning enough for the laughs that may follow. On the crime scene Rigby finds a list named as friends of Carlota and Enemies of Carlotta, and an autographed picture of singer Kitty Collins. Rigby is shot but Juliet saves him by sucking out the bullet (yes thats what happens). Rigby follows Kitty Collins (Ava gardener from killers) who leaves her brooch with the information of Enemies of Carlotta (EOC) in the soup. From Juliet's uncle Sam who had been entrusted with a dollar bill he gets information of Friends of Carlotta (FOC). Soon Rigby is entrenched in a game of deceit and trouble, but with the help of Marlowe (Humphrey Bogart in his masterpiece The Big Sleep) he manages to outwit them all and solves the puzzle.



He finds the scientist father and Juliet in a remote island with their butler who introduces himself as field Marshall Wilfried Von Kluck. John Hayward has invented a cheese whose mold could corrode even the metals and the regrouping Neo Nazis were planning to sink American vessels using this mold. So the FOC were all Nazi Agents and before John could call in the FBI he is abducted and his death faked. So after a lot of hilarious moments the bad guys are vanquished with their hideout.
This movie pays homage to the countless masterpieces of the 40's and 50's and each of those movie scenes are perfectly interlaced with the film. Steve Martin is his usual brilliant self and one can treat this movie as a big laugh riot. He performs with his dead pan comic face which is just amazing. One of my favorite scene is Steve making Java for the hapless Alan Ladd (from movie Sleepless). You feel the giggle forming to a big guffaw with the continuous pouring of coffee and ends with the sucking out of the bullet by Juliet, splendid comedy !
This movie released to full fledged critical and box office acclaim. It may not be a land mark movie like Citizen Kane, but in the annals of movie making it will stand out as a crowd favorite.