This comedy has its sad moments but even in tragedy this movie can be very funny

macpherr

Multi talented Billy Crystal directed and wrote the screen play with Lowell Ganz. This comedy has its sad moments but even in tragedy this movie can be very funny.  The cast in superb.  Mickey Gordon, played by  Crystal is  a referee (When Harry met Sally, The Princess Bride) who has to go to Paris because his father wanted to be buried in France. The airline mishandled the corpse of his father. By the way this is a Tort in the US he could have gotten a lot of money because of that.  He then meets  Ellen Andrews,  Debra Winger (An Officer and a Gentlemen, Terms of Endearment) who works for the airline. The story is told in a very creative fashion using a group of friends which meets in a restaurant and each tells part of the story. It starts with one couple and more friends keep coming and they do not know whether Mickey and Elle will show up and whether they are still together. Nice story telling!  Just look at the names:  Joe Mantegna (Up Close & Personal)  is Andy;  Cynthia Stevenson is Liz, Richard Masur (none other than the director of SAG himself) is Craig;  Julie Kavner  (Jake's Women, This is my Life) is Lucy who is on diet;  William Hickey (I) is Arthur;  Robert Costanzo, is the witty waiter his very funny lines;  John Spencer (I) is Jack; Tom Wright (I) is Tommy; Cathy Moriarty is Lois; Johnny Williams (I) is Lou. Then there are all the athletes one can come up with. The Lady who plays the organ is so stuffy and funny! She loves to live in Paris, but she has follow her husband who is always traveling. I have seem this happen to many people.They tried to compromise but it does not work at all. Her father comes to live with them and that created more tension. Funny lines: " you asked for it, you got it Toyota!".

My favorite scenes: them driving around Paris; the bird glued to her face; when she shows up at the game and at the restaurant. I liked the movie. The music is nice. It made me laugh. I recommend it, it is an enjoyable movie.

score 8/10

macpherr 22 April 1999

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw0361709/