Cadillac Man (1990)

User Rating:

5.3/10   

Director:

Roger Donaldson

Writer (WGA):

Ken Friedman (written by)

Release Date:

18 May 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime

Tagline:

Legend. Lover. Salesman. A way with words. A way with women. And way over his head.

Plot:

Joe's a car salesman with a problem. He has two days to sell 12 cars or he loses his job. This would...

Plot Keywords:

Salesman | Gun | Car Salesman | Unfaithfulness | Automobile

Cast

Robin Williams	...	Joey O'Brien
Tim Robbins	...	Larry
Pamela Reed	...	Tina
Fran Drescher	...	Joy Munchack
Zack Norman	...	Harry Munchack
Lori Petty	...	Lila
Annabella Sciorra	...	Donna
Paul Guilfoyle	...	Little Jack Turgeon
Bill Nelson	...	Big Jack Turgeon
Eddie Jones	...	Benny
Mimi Cecchini	...	Ma
Tristine Skyler	...	Lisa
Judith Hoag	...	Molly
Lauren Tom	...	Helen the Dim Sum Girl
Anthony Powers	...	Captain Mason

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:M | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Norway:15 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

3721 Northern Boulevard, Long Island City, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Orion Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Cameo: [Elaine Stritch]widow.

Quotes:

[Joe is trading insults with a photographer]
Joey: You know what you are - you're an ass-half... Takes two of you to make an ass-whole.

Movie Connections:

References Mandingo (1975)

Soundtrack:

PURPLE BAMBOO MELODY

An Average Comedy

THE PLOT: A jilted husband (Robbins) goes off the deep end and, with rifle in hand, takes over a car dealership where he threatens to kill everybody inside. It's up to a quick on his feet car salesman (Williams) and his 'people skills' to get everyone out of the predicament.

THE NEGATIVE: Outside of a funny opening funeral procession bit, the first thirty minutes are pretty dull. Too much time is spent on Williams interactions with friends and family members that is not very funny or interesting. In fact the majority of this film seems more like a drama dealing with the daily stresses of life than it does a comedy. When the gunman first breaks into the dealership it is quite intense and even a bit horrific. The film does eventually catch its stride, but it all seems kind of transparent by the end. There is nothing to really distinguish this film from all the rest, which probably explains why it has pretty much been ignored. In many ways it seems very similar to DOG DAY AFTERNOON.

THE POSITIVE: Everything is kept on a very realistic and plausible level. The dialogue and characters are believable. Robbins makes for a very engaging gunman and once the film settles into the hostage crisis there are a few genuinely funny moments. Drescher's pet poodle is memorable and one of the best pet performers I've seen.

THE LOWDOWN: The film has enough comedy and good moments to make it a passable time filler, but there isn't enough else to make it anything more than that.

THE RATING: 6 out of 10.