The Best of Times (1986)

User Rating:

5.6/10   

Director:

Roger Spottiswoode

Writer:

Ron Shelton (writer)

Release Date:

31 January 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Sport

Tagline:

A film with a catch (or two).

Plot:

A small-town loser determines to have one more shot at the big time by winning a football game. |

Plot Keywords:

Small Town | Urination Scene | Reunion | American Football | Sports Team

Cast

Robin Williams	...	Jack Dundee
Kurt Russell	...	Reno Hightower
Pamela Reed	...	Gigi Hightower
Holly Palance	...	Elly Dundee
Donald Moffat	...	The Colonel
Margaret Whitton	...	Darla
M. Emmet Walsh	...	Charlie
Donovan Scott	...	Eddie
R.G. Armstrong	...	Schutte
Dub Taylor	...	Mac
Carl Ballantine	...	Arturo
Kathleen Freeman	...	Rosie
Tony Plana	...	Chico
Kirk Cameron	...	Teddy
Robyn Lively	...	Jaki

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:PG | France:U | UK:15 | USA:PG-13 | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Moorpark High School - 4500 Tierra Rejada Road, Moorpark, California, USA

Company:

Cinema Group Ventures

Trivia:

Though Hightower and Dundee's alma mater is universally referred to by the characters as "Taft", logos, signage and lettermen's jackets in the film identify it as (the fictional) Midway Union High School.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Jack catches the ball on the final play, the ref signals "touchdown" twice. Once when it catches it and again when he actually crosses the goal line.

Quotes:

Jack Dundee: Elly, I have a new move for you.
Elly Dundee: Oh? Show me.
Jack Dundee: It's part Smokey Robinson, Part Gladys Knight, but it's all me.
[Spins while undressing]
Jack Dundee: Jack....Aquarius...gotta gotta gotta gotta, satisfy.
Elly Dundee: Sort of a white 'Pip', I love it.

Movie Connections:

References "NFL Monday Night Football" (1970)

Soundtrack:

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

Maybe not the best of films, but worth checking out.

I guess that everyone has to make a comeback at some point. And that's exactly what embarrassed Taft resident Jack Dundee (Robin Williams) intends to do in "The Best of Times". Yep, the man who went all crazy with the radio in "Good Morning, Vietnam" is playing football. In this case, he seeks to replay a game that cost his high school a prestigious title. But ex-teammate Reno Hightower (Kurt Russell) isn't just going to go along with it so easily.

Granted, it's not the best movie for either man. But Williams and Russell are actually a pretty good comedy team. And some of the names in this movie are likely to give you the giggles (to say the least). Check it out.