The Check Is in the Mail... (1986)

Frustrated with all the minor irritants of the rat-race Richard Jackson decides to buy a goat, disconnect the electricity and become self-sufficient. But will this life be any less annoying?

Director:

Joan Darling

Writer:

Robert Kaufman

Stars:

Brian Dennehy, Anne Archer, Hallie Todd

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Brian Dennehy	...	Richard Jackson
Anne Archer	...	Peggy Jackson
Hallie Todd	...	Robin Jackson
Michael Bowen	...	Gary Jackson
Chris Hebert	...	Danny Jackson
Katherine Saltzberg	...	Sally (as Kathy Maisnik)
Thomas Rollerson	...	Sally' boyfriend
Greg Mullavey	...	Harry Danvers
Ronnie Schell	...	Dr. Brannigan
Beau Starr	...	Rocco
Emily Banks	...	Travel agent
Fred Pinkard	...	Skycap
Nanci Christopher	...	Airline representative
Richard Minchenberg	...	Paul Silver
Christopher Rydell	...	Drunken sailor (as Chris Rydell)

Storyline

Frustrated with all the minor irritants of the rat-race Richard Jackson decides to buy a goat, disconnect the electricity and become self-sufficient. But will this life be any less annoying?

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Plot Keywords:

independent film

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Taglines:

A comedy for every person who has ever gotten a C.O.D. or signed an I.O.U.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

March 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Katalaa korttia karkuun

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Check Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

User Reviews

The price of life... (spoilers)

The Check is in the Mail reminds me a lot of a little-known early 80s movie called Packin' It In in which Richard Benjamin plays a husband and father who, absolutely fed up with city-life (in that 'Prisoners of Second Avenue' kind of way) and all of its nuisances, decides to move his family to the country for some good IL' backwoods survivalism. This theme shows up again in the Albert Brooks/Julie Hagerty comedy, Lost In America, in which a husband, distraught with his yuppie life not going as planned, encourages his wife to join him and cash in all of their chips to buy an RV and live the nomadic life, Easy Rider style (sort of). The Check is in the Mail is about yet another husband/father (played by Brian Dennehy) who becomes beaten by the price of living, that he declares war on the system.

It is a certain brand of eighties comedy (aside from the theme). You know, those goofy, cheap 80s comedies with the illustrated box covers. This one, in particular models humor along the lines of the Beverly D'Angelo comedy, 'Finders Keepers' (which coincidentally also features Dennehy in a supporting role). Not side-splittingly funny, but a story that is somewhat off-the-wall (despite following a thematic trend). It's amusing light comedy, and worth a shot if you can find it.