Undescribable Perfection

Memorable, crazy movie

Good concept, poorly executed.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Mild-mannered dentist Sheldon Kompett (wonderfully played to the neurotic hilt by Alan Arkin) is getting ready for his daughter's forthcoming wedding. Complications ensue when the groom's father Vince Ricardo (a deliciously dry'n'deadpan portrayal by Peter Falk) turns out to be a loose cannon government agent who gets Sheldon involved in his latest dangerous secret mission.Director Arthur Hiller expertly crafts an engaging breezy'n'easy tone, grounds the wacky premise in a credible everyday reality, and keeps the enjoyably zany story zipping along at a snappy pace. Andrew Bergman's witty and inspired script boasts a wealth of priceless gut-busting lines, with the "Serpentine!" dialogue in particular rating as a truly uproarious bit of crazy business. The natural and appealing chemistry between Falk and Arkin gives this picture an extra big boost; these two play off each other beautifully and make for a terrifically delightful comic duo. Moreover, there are sound supporting contributions from Nancy Dussault as Sheldon's sensible wife Carol, Penny Peyser as Sheldon's headstrong daughter Barbara, Richard Libertini as batty dictator General Garcia, Arlene Golonka as Vince's cheery wife Jean, James Hong as chatty airline attendant Bing Wong, Ed Begley Jr. as nerdy CIA head Barry Lutz, and David Paymer as an eager cab driver. Both David M. Walsh's sharp cinematography and the sprightly score by John Morris are up to par. An absolute riot.

Having read a number of reviews, I have to wonder if I saw the same movie everyone else did. I will have to admit that I do not like Allen Arkin, but not even Arthur Hiller, an actor, and director that I very much respect, could breathe life into this flaccid and boring script. I happen to have seen this film recently, and I discovered that I disliked it even more than I did when I saw it in a theater in 1978. One has to question a film's worth when its best joke/gag consists of Falk and Arkin fleeing from gunfire screaming, Serpentine, Shelly...Serpentine...big yuk!!! Perhaps I expect too much from film comedies, but I like to laugh as much as the next guy, but I found myself checking my watch wondering when this experience would be over

Arthur Hiller directed this funny comedy that stars Alan Arkin as Sheldon Kornpett, a successful dentist whose daughter is about to get married. The groom's father Vince Ricardo(played by Peter Falk) is cagey about his profession, but shortly before the wedding, he comes to see Sheldon at work requesting his assistance in a job related matter that escalates into a shootout and chase, where they find themselves on the run from New York City to Central America, where they become involved with a wacky dictator(played by Richard Libertini) who wants them shot... Wild and unpredictable comedy is surprisingly good, with two memorable lead performances, and a most original script.

It's hilarious. A successful NYC dentist (Alan Arkin) whose daughter is about to marry the son of a lunatic CIA agent (Peter Falk). The high-strung Arkin goes from neurotic to completely insane as Falk gets him into one pre-marital predicament after another. They end up on the run from a lot of face-less goons all the way to Central America. This isn't as much a buddy film as it is an antagonist film. Arkin & Falk have great chemistry and they're both hysterical (interestingly, there is no straight man). Directed with a lot of finesse by Arthur Hiller from a very clever script by Andrew Bergman. The supporting cast is excellent and features Richard Libertini, Ed Begley Jr., Nancy Dussault, and Arlene Golonka. The fun music score by Mel Brooks' regular John Morris adds a lot.