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The Tall Guy

  • 1989
  • R
  • 1h 32m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
5.1K
YOUR RATING
Rowan Atkinson, Jeff Goldblum, Emma Thompson, Kim Thomson, and Emil Wolk in The Tall Guy (1989)
A nasty comedian's assistant has allergy induced sneezes, giving problems at work, et cetera. He accepts weekly injections after seeing the cute nurse. After a dozen injections, he finally asks her out.
Play trailer1:28
1 Video
49 Photos
SatireSlapstickComedyRomance

An American actor based in London, is stuck playing the sidekick to a successful British comic. He meets an attractive nurse at the local hospital and starts to date her, also landing the le... Read allAn American actor based in London, is stuck playing the sidekick to a successful British comic. He meets an attractive nurse at the local hospital and starts to date her, also landing the lead role in a musical version of The Elephant Man.An American actor based in London, is stuck playing the sidekick to a successful British comic. He meets an attractive nurse at the local hospital and starts to date her, also landing the lead role in a musical version of The Elephant Man.

  • Director
    • Mel Smith
  • Writer
    • Richard Curtis
  • Stars
    • Jeff Goldblum
    • Rowan Atkinson
    • Emma Thompson
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.2/10
    5.1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Mel Smith
    • Writer
      • Richard Curtis
    • Stars
      • Jeff Goldblum
      • Rowan Atkinson
      • Emma Thompson
    • 57User reviews
    • 29Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:28
    Trailer

    Photos49

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    Top cast72

    Edit
    Jeff Goldblum
    Jeff Goldblum
    • Dexter King
    Rowan Atkinson
    Rowan Atkinson
    • Ron Anderson
    Emma Thompson
    Emma Thompson
    • Kate
    Geraldine James
    Geraldine James
    • Carmen
    Emil Wolk
    • Charlie
    Kim Thomson
    Kim Thomson
    • Cheryl
    Harold Innocent
    Harold Innocent
    • Timothy
    Anna Massey
    Anna Massey
    • Mary
    Joanna Kanska
    • Tamara
    Peter Kelly
    • Gavin
    Tim Barlow
    Tim Barlow
    • Mr. Morrow
    • (as Timothy Barlow)
    Hugh Thomas
    • Dr. Karabekian
    Charles Augins
    • Choreographer
    Peter Brewis
    • Freddy
    Joolia Cappleman
    • Costume Designer
    John Waldon
    • Company Stage Manager
    Angus Deayton
    Angus Deayton
    • Actor in Agent's Office
    Robin Driscoll
    Robin Driscoll
    • Actor in Agent's Office
    • Director
      • Mel Smith
    • Writer
      • Richard Curtis
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Jeff Goldblum was only free because of an actors strike in the U.S.
    • Goofs
      In a shower scene late in the movie the camera moves to a high vantage point, showing the shorts that Dexter is wearing.
    • Quotes

      Dexter: I hope all your children have very small dicks! And that includes the girls!

    • Crazy credits
      Michael Fitzgerald's full credit in the movie is "Man with vacuum cleaner tube up his bottom."
    • Alternate versions
      The American video release contains dubbed replacements of much British slang.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Goodfellas/Narrow Margin/Funny About Love/The Tall Guy (1990)
    • Soundtracks
      It Must Be Love
      Written by Labi Siffre

      MAM Music Publishing/Chrysalis Music Ltd.

      Performed by Madness

      By Courtesy of Virgin Records Ltd. and Geffen Records

      (by arrangement with Warner Special Products)

      from the Album "Complete Madness"

    User reviews57

    Featured review

    Five stars or one star. Can I give this movie four stars?

    Wow -- talk about polarization. I watched this 15 year old movie for the first time this past weekend and I thought it was terrific, gentle fun. Then I looked at the comments and found that it was tied with "Citizen Kane" with some viewers, but with "Plan 9 from Outer Space" with the rest. What is there in this little film that should polarize everyone so?

    Rowan Atkinson behaving like a creep? Emma Thompson's 15-years-ago tush? Jeff Goldblum doing a pretty nice job as a vague almost-actor? I think I will join the polarization here and state that I choose not to go to a party with those "one star" people. I'll bet they just discuss poetry and stuff.

    How did I like this movie? Let me count the ways? 1. Funniest damned sex scene I can recall. 2. Landlady-Carmen and friends -- what do you people mean, unnecessary character? 3. "Elephant!" Is that show coming soon to a theatre near me? 4. Weak ending -- who cares?
    • driker22
    • Mar 16, 2004
    • Permalink

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    FAQ18

    • How long is The Tall Guy?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 21, 1990 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Das lange Elend
    • Filming locations
      • Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Catherine Street, Covent Garden, Westminster, Greater London, England, UK('Elephant - The Musical' theatre: exterior)
    • Production companies
      • London Weekend Television (LWT)
      • Virgin Vision
      • Working Title Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $510,712
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $91,131
      • Sep 23, 1990
    • Gross worldwide
      • $510,712
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 32 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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    Rowan Atkinson, Jeff Goldblum, Emma Thompson, Kim Thomson, and Emil Wolk in The Tall Guy (1989)
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