Dutch is another in the long line of films from John Hughes (though not the director here). It's not quite at the same level as Breakfast Club or Pretty in Pink, but it is a charming little film in its own right.
The film features Ed O'Neil (then appearing on Married with Children) as Dutch Dooley, an unpretentious blue-collar kind of guy, who is dating Jo Beth Williams. Williams is divorced from the wealthy and royal (expletive) Christopher McDonald (playing another in a long line of jerks). McDonald still holds a grudge against his ex, since she found the courage to walk away from him. He gets back at her through controlling her access to money and via the (undeserved) adoration of their son, Doyle. Doyle attends a prestigious boy's school in Virginia. After Willams tries to get Doyle to come home for the holidays, and receives and nasty rejection, Dutch offers to travel to the school and bring Doyle home, giving them a chance to bond.
Doyle is a spoiled little (expletive) learning well the lesson of his very absent father. He has no friends, but seems to have no desire for any. Enter Dutch and a battle of wills ensues. Dutch is determined to make friends with the boy, though he quickly finds that it is a tall order. And so, a road trip begins, complete with fireworks, accidents, prostitutes, robbery, and little acts of kindness that slowly start to chink away at Doyle's armor.
O'Neil is the star here, ably portraying the working class Dutch. He is a self made man, who is proud of his background and doesn't have time for Doyle's spoiled rich antics, nor his useless father. He attempts to educate Doyle on the ways of the real world, especially those of the common man, who Doyle seems to hold in utter contempt. O'Neil never plays it too far over the top, nor too seriously. he strikes the right balance of humor and drama, letting expression and body language carry as much of the performance as dialogue.
Ethan Embry proves to be up to working with a solid character man like O'Neil. He has Doyle down to a tee, making him thoroughly unlikeable and pompous. Bit by bit, the facade starts to fade and we see the smiling young boy depicted in a prised photo (of Doyle and his mother, but kept safely tucked away, lest he admit having feelings). Doyle is truly touched by the kindness of people that he previously sneered at, especially in some wonderful (if manipulative) scenes in a homeless shelter. Doyle soon comes to realize that Dutch, in just a couple of days, has been more of a father than his biological one (who can't be bothered to return a phone call).
Jo Beth Williams and Christopher McDonald have the smaller parts, but make the most of their scenes. You believe that Williams truly loves her son, no matter how he treats her. McDonald plays a complete scumbag, but you still enjoy his performance enough to want to see him pop back in, if only to get his comeuppance.
As is typical of Hughes, the emotions are heavily manipulated and the scenes pander to the audience, but the performances lift them above the cliché and the emotions seem earned. The journey along the road provides some excellent scenery, as they pass through the Southern mountains and make their way to the upper Midwest, showcasing scenery that Hollywood often ignores. The film is uneven in parts, but the characters are enjoyable enough to forgive this.
In the end, Dutch is a movie that was somewhat ignored in its time; just another John Hughes film, with the same gags. This is probably due to the less than stellar marketing, which tried to make O'Neil's Dutch look more like Al Bundy. It's a shame, as the film deserved better. It is well worth checking out, assuming you can find it. The DVD release came and went almost as quietly as the movie. If you find it, though, watch it!
The film features Ed O'Neil (then appearing on Married with Children) as Dutch Dooley, an unpretentious blue-collar kind of guy, who is dating Jo Beth Williams. Williams is divorced from the wealthy and royal (expletive) Christopher McDonald (playing another in a long line of jerks). McDonald still holds a grudge against his ex, since she found the courage to walk away from him. He gets back at her through controlling her access to money and via the (undeserved) adoration of their son, Doyle. Doyle attends a prestigious boy's school in Virginia. After Willams tries to get Doyle to come home for the holidays, and receives and nasty rejection, Dutch offers to travel to the school and bring Doyle home, giving them a chance to bond.
Doyle is a spoiled little (expletive) learning well the lesson of his very absent father. He has no friends, but seems to have no desire for any. Enter Dutch and a battle of wills ensues. Dutch is determined to make friends with the boy, though he quickly finds that it is a tall order. And so, a road trip begins, complete with fireworks, accidents, prostitutes, robbery, and little acts of kindness that slowly start to chink away at Doyle's armor.
O'Neil is the star here, ably portraying the working class Dutch. He is a self made man, who is proud of his background and doesn't have time for Doyle's spoiled rich antics, nor his useless father. He attempts to educate Doyle on the ways of the real world, especially those of the common man, who Doyle seems to hold in utter contempt. O'Neil never plays it too far over the top, nor too seriously. he strikes the right balance of humor and drama, letting expression and body language carry as much of the performance as dialogue.
Ethan Embry proves to be up to working with a solid character man like O'Neil. He has Doyle down to a tee, making him thoroughly unlikeable and pompous. Bit by bit, the facade starts to fade and we see the smiling young boy depicted in a prised photo (of Doyle and his mother, but kept safely tucked away, lest he admit having feelings). Doyle is truly touched by the kindness of people that he previously sneered at, especially in some wonderful (if manipulative) scenes in a homeless shelter. Doyle soon comes to realize that Dutch, in just a couple of days, has been more of a father than his biological one (who can't be bothered to return a phone call).
Jo Beth Williams and Christopher McDonald have the smaller parts, but make the most of their scenes. You believe that Williams truly loves her son, no matter how he treats her. McDonald plays a complete scumbag, but you still enjoy his performance enough to want to see him pop back in, if only to get his comeuppance.
As is typical of Hughes, the emotions are heavily manipulated and the scenes pander to the audience, but the performances lift them above the cliché and the emotions seem earned. The journey along the road provides some excellent scenery, as they pass through the Southern mountains and make their way to the upper Midwest, showcasing scenery that Hollywood often ignores. The film is uneven in parts, but the characters are enjoyable enough to forgive this.
In the end, Dutch is a movie that was somewhat ignored in its time; just another John Hughes film, with the same gags. This is probably due to the less than stellar marketing, which tried to make O'Neil's Dutch look more like Al Bundy. It's a shame, as the film deserved better. It is well worth checking out, assuming you can find it. The DVD release came and went almost as quietly as the movie. If you find it, though, watch it!