The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch (2002) (TV)

User Rating:

5.8/10   

Director:

Eric Idle

Writer:

Eric Idle (writer)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Twenty-three years after the release of the original Rutles documentary, famous artists, actors and musicians speak out on how the Rutles influenced them.

Plot Keywords:

Sequel | Second Part | TV Special | Fake Documentary | Number In Title

Cast

Eric Idle	...	Narrator / Dirk McQuickly / Lady Beth Mouse-Peddler
Neil Innes	...	Ron Nasty
Ricky Fataar	...	Stig O'Hara
David Bowie	...	Himself - Interviewee
Billy Connolly	...	Himself - Interviewee
Carrie Fisher	...	Interviewee
Jewel Kilcher	...	Interviewee (as Jewel)
Steve Martin	...	Interviewee
Mike Nichols	...	Interviewee
Conan O'Brien	...	Interviewee
Salman Rushdie	...	Interviewee
Garry Shandling	...	Interviewee
Robin Williams	...	Hans Hänkie
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
April Adams	...	Groupie Interviewee (scenes deleted)
Clint Black	...	Interviewee
Jimmy Fallon	...	Reporter
Tom Hanks	...	Interviewee
Samantha Harris	...	Jogger
Bill Murray	...	Bill Murray "The K" (archive footage)
Graham Nash	...	Interviewee
Kevin Nealon	...	Kevin Wongle
Catherine O'Hara	...	Astro Glide
Jim Piddock	...	Troy Nixon
Bonnie Raitt	...	Interviewee
David A. Stewart	...	Interviewee
James Taylor	...	Interviewee
Jann Wenner	...	Interviewee

Runtime:

USA:84 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | Singapore:NC-16

Filming Locations:

Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK

Company:

Above Average Productions Inc.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in What the Pythons Did Next... (2007) (TV)

The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch (2002) **

Based on one horrible fan review I'd read before renting this "follow-up" to the first RUTLES film, I was prepared for the very worst. So it turned out that I was relieved to discover that, while RUTLES 2 is surely not in the same class as the original, it does have its funny moments despite some of the gags becoming repetitious (like Eric Idle's reporter constantly winding up in the wrong country for his interviews again and again and again). And while it's also not as polished as the original, I wouldn't consider this a total washout.

The biggest disappointment came when I quickly realized that this was NOT in any way, shape or form an actual "sequel" to the first movie. I had expected that the original cast had been reunited to make a new story of the further adventures of the Pre-Fab Four in their later years. But what CAN'T BUY ME LUNCH really is, is an "alternate" version of 1977's THE RUTLES: ALL YOU NEED IS CASH. Meaning that it's the same basic story of the origin and successes of Dirk, Nasty, Stig and Barry all over again, but this time substituting a lot of previously unseen/unused footage from '77 along with some new songs that were never included the first time around, even though they're featured on our Rutles CD's. Some of the footage is actually pretty decent, and I'm surprised it didn't make the original cut.

To compliment the footage, there are new humorous interviews and muddled Rutles memories with more up-to-date celebrities: Steve Martin, Bonnie Raitt, Jewel, Gary Shandling, Conan O'Brien, Robin Williams, David Bowie and Carrie Fisher. Also on hand is Tom Hanks, who seems to go out of his way trying to be a part of Beatles-related topics (he also participated in a Monty Python skit in the CONCERT FOR GEORGE, in 2002). Hanks is quite funny, as are Steve Martin and Gary Shandling. I liked the bits with the "Triangular Album" and the "Shite" record.

For all the die-hard Rutles Fans out there, I'd say RUTLES 2 is worth one watch, at the very least. Maybe as a rental first to see if you think it's worth buying (I haven't decided yet). Because there are still some new laughs there, even if they're not as huge as they were in 1977. I can't imagine anyone who knows ALL YOU NEED IS CASH by heart not getting at least a few chuckles with RUTLES 2. But just don't expect too much.