The Shrimp on the Barbie (1990)

User Rating:

5.0/10   

Directors:

Michael Gottlieb
Alan Smithee

Writers (WGA):

Grant Morris (written by) and
Ronald E. House (written by) ...

Release Date:

31 August 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Carlos failed in the show-biz and currently works as waiter in a Mexican restaurant. There he meets Alex and dumb footballer Bruce...

Plot Keywords:

Restaurant | Wealthy | Horse | Birthday Party | Butler

Cast

Cheech Marin	...	Carlos
Emma Samms	...	Alex
Vernon Wells	...	Bruce
Bruce Spence	...	Wayne
Carole Davis	...	Dominique
Terence Cooper	...	Sir Ian Hobart
Jeanette Cronin	...	Maggie Ridley
Gary McCormick	...	Gary Williams
Frank Whitten	...	Blue
June Bishop	...	Lady Irene Hobart
David Argue	...	Kevin
Bruce Allpress	...	Mr. Ridley
Val Lamond	...	Mrs. Ridley
Claire Glenister	...	TV Anchorwoman
Jonathan Coleman	...	Postman

Also Known As:

The Boyfriend from Hell (UK) (video title)

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

New Zealand | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Germany:12 | Iceland:L | USA:PG-13 | USA:R (edited version, video) | Finland:S | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Auckland, New Zealand

Company:

David Hannay Productions

Trivia:

A sex scene between Dominique and Bruce in Bruce's hotel room was cut for time.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Alex screeches to a halt and parks outside the airport looking for Carlos, a car and a truck can be seen parked near behind. However, when she gets out of the car, both vehicles are gone.

Quotes:

Carlos: Relax Holmes, just teasing.

Movie Connections:

References "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe" (1983)

Soundtrack:

Margheritta

It's Not As Bad As You Think....

I worked as an usher when our theater got this film. Since we were a single screen theater, business wasn't good. I actually sat down and watched it and found it quite charming and funny. It's a true fish-out-of-water film, with a romantic twist. Although not in the same league as "Crocodile Dundee," it comes pretty close.

Carlos (Marin) ends up in Australia when he is offered a job. Broke and recently dumped by his girl, he meets Alex, a rich girl (Samms)who makes a deal. Seems that her father is not too keen on her boyfriend Bruce (Vernon Wells). By having Carlos pose as her new love, her father would find him so repulsive that he would let her marry Bruce. Of course, things don't turn out the way Carlos and Alex want.

It's not too bad a film, and the Alan Smithee pseudonym gives the stigma that this film is a stinker. Far from it: it's a sweet and charming film that's worth a look.