Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Overlooked Movies -- Frankie & Johnny

This film was directed by Garry Marshall. That might tell some of you all you need to know about it. Slick, schmaltzy, and funny. Michelle Pfeiffer is cast against type as a decidedly unglamorous waitress who's had some bad men in her past. Al Pacino is just out of jail (though he's a wonderful, romantic guy) who takes a job in the diner where Pfeiffer works. She's not interested in dating him, but he's persistent. You get no points if you figure out how this is going to end.

Great supporting cast here. Nathan Lane is cast against type as the amusing gay neighbor (I'm joking, Deb). Hector Elizondo is good, as always, and Kate Nelligan is very funny as another waitress in the diner. If you're looking for some lightweight fun, this is just the ticket.

3 comments:

Todd Mason said...

I seem to remember liking FRANKIE AND JOHNNY...the cast helps enormously, with Pacino as I remember him less obnoxious than usual...Garry Marshall less careless than usual...

Anonymous said...

Can't really agree. I saw the show and the whole point was how plain, or fat, or ugly (depending on who played the role) she was. Michelle was - even by Hollywood's usual standards - egregious miscasting.

For the record the original star off-Broadway was Kathy Bates. 'nuff said? (Others who played the role in the later [2002] Broadway production were Edie Falco - opposite Stanley Tucci, who left his wife for her for a short time - and Rosie Perez. We saw an actress I've never cared for in the role in the 1988 original, Carol Kane.)

Jeff

Ron Scheer said...

I'm ambivalent about this one. Never sure how to measure a light movie romance that's based on a heavier kitchen-sink style play--and characters that are supposed to be ordinary being played by extraordinary actors.