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Format: Laserdisc
Recording Mode: (unknown)
UPC: 096891003169 |
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Details
Movie Description
Director Jonathan Demme (SILENCE OF THE LAMB) made a critical breakthrough with this film. It's based on the true story of Melvin Dummar (Paul Le Mat), an affable all-American loser whose miserable luck changes when he gives a ride to eccentric Howard Hughes (superbly played by Jason Robards) after finding him asleep in the Nevada desert. Following an extended opening scene of their journey to Vegas, the film dives into Melvin's messed-up trailer-park existence, which involves an unhappy wife (Mary Steenburgen), devoted daughter (Elizabeth Cheshire), and a string of thankless blue-collar jobs. Melvin turns out to be a crackpot dreamer, but his dreams seem to come true when he's named recipient of fellow crackpot Hughes' fortune in a mysterious hand-written will. The film flows as a stream of sharp comic moments via Demme's deft direction and affection for his characters. A nicely gritty look is achieved through Tak Fujimoto's photography at actual locations. A letter-perfect cast includes Dummar himself as a bus station attendant and Dabney Coleman as a Mormon judge. Bo Goldman (ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST) wrote the award-winning screenplay.
Synopsis
This nearly flawless Jonathan Demme offbeat comedy tells the possibly true story of Melvin Dummar, an unusually fortunate Utah gas station attendant. Melvin is a nice guy, but he can barely hold down his job. One night he helps an old man who has had an accident in the desert; the man just might be Howard Hughes. Melvin, disbelieving, laughs it off. The event proves fortunate when the notorious loser discovers he has been named as the heir to Howard Hughes's fortune in the so-called Mormon Will.
Film Notes
Theatrical Release: September 19, 1980.
Filmed on location in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Industry Reviews
Included in the New York Times "10 BEST FILMS OF 1980"
New York Times - p.II:15 - Vincent Canby (12/28/1980)
"...Sharp, engaging, very funny....Demme has assembled a cast of first-rate character actors..."
New York Times - Vincent Canby (09/26/1980)
"...[A] jewel....Demme's direction isn't showy, but it's potent in seemingly throwaway details..."
USA Today - Mike Clark (10/08/1999)
"[A] fable of rags-to-riches America that resonates more than ever."
Rolling Stone - Peter Travers (03/18/2004)
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