Joel (Rick Hearst) has a great advertising job and a beautiful wife, Hope (Lauralee Bell). So, what's the problem? Its the Los Angeles traffic which makes Joel consistently late to work and late getting home. The head of his firm, Mrs. Lunsford (Jeanne Cooper) and her second-in-command son, Michael (Corbin Bernson) have been lenient on tardiness, for Joel is a valued employee. However, their patience is running thin. Then, too, some of Joel's ideas have been popping up at competing companies and the bosses are suspicious of Joel working against them. Also, Hope wants a child but things don't seem right for Joel at this time. One day, Joel spies two things. A homeless veteran holds a sign "will work for food" and the freeway has a sign announcing carpoolers can use the fast, fast lane. By making an agreement with the Vet (Anthony Geary), Joel can now make it to work and to home on time. But, is there someone still out to sabotage Joel's life? This mildly entertaining film, directed by Bernson, has an acceptable cast, script, etc. But, its nothing extraordinary. By far the best part is the fireworks between Bernson and Cooper, who are real life mother and son. Watching Cooper scream when things upset her and Bernson doing the same is entertaining. Also, Geary does good work while the real David Oreck of vacuum cleaner fame makes an appearance, too. If you come upon it at some late, late hour and you can't sleep, it can help you make it through the night.
12 Reviews
Soap stars showing their limitations...save one.
BlackJack_B14 January 2006
Soap operas have been popular for a good 70-80 years on T.V. and the radio. However, when it comes to their stature on the celebrity totem pole soap stars might very well be second to last; with only the Casting Central actors who appear in commercials with their dimples, moles, and all below them. Reality T.V. stars, porn actors, WWE wrestlers, and sports talk radio jocks are ahead of them. With their ludicrous story lines, goody-two shoes vs. villain battles, and the poor acting I have often wondered why people watch these maudlin T.V. shows in the afternoon. I guess it is because they are there, I suppose.
I have watched soaps in the past so I know what they are all about. It's just that there's better things to do in the afternoon when I'm not working. Still, plenty of bored, desperate housewives and college kids tune in for a good laugh...or to be put to sleep.
I got Carpool Guy for my Mom because she's a fan of the Young And The Restless and four of the actors are in the cast. She might recognize a few others because these actors jump from soap to soap, it seems.
The movie is about some executive who gets a homeless man to sit in his front seat so he can use the carpool lane to get to work faster. Obviously, movies about this aren't in high demand. David Paymer and Rod Steiger made a movie called Carpool ten years ago and it did little in the box office. This one has lower standards and it can't even meet them. It is pretty much an unrealistic film much like anything you'd see in a soap.
The acting here is absolutely brutal; typical of the genre, except for Anthony Geary. Geary, who plays the title character, is pretty hilarious. He has actual acting chops and comedic talent. He could have gone farther in Hollywood but he was pretty famous as one half of the Luke and Laura supercouple with Genie Francis and so didn't need to go up in the food chain. And yes, once again Lauralee Bell shows you why being Bill Bell's daughter was the only reason she has a job. 20 years on the Y&R and she still administers the same one-note emoting that David Caruso uses; only difference is that Caruso has real talent. I've seen better actresses in movies where the acting is secondary to something else.
Bottom line: If you love soaps you'll love this one but if you think soap operas are as legitimate as a WWE wrestling match then this won't change your mind.
I have watched soaps in the past so I know what they are all about. It's just that there's better things to do in the afternoon when I'm not working. Still, plenty of bored, desperate housewives and college kids tune in for a good laugh...or to be put to sleep.
I got Carpool Guy for my Mom because she's a fan of the Young And The Restless and four of the actors are in the cast. She might recognize a few others because these actors jump from soap to soap, it seems.
The movie is about some executive who gets a homeless man to sit in his front seat so he can use the carpool lane to get to work faster. Obviously, movies about this aren't in high demand. David Paymer and Rod Steiger made a movie called Carpool ten years ago and it did little in the box office. This one has lower standards and it can't even meet them. It is pretty much an unrealistic film much like anything you'd see in a soap.
The acting here is absolutely brutal; typical of the genre, except for Anthony Geary. Geary, who plays the title character, is pretty hilarious. He has actual acting chops and comedic talent. He could have gone farther in Hollywood but he was pretty famous as one half of the Luke and Laura supercouple with Genie Francis and so didn't need to go up in the food chain. And yes, once again Lauralee Bell shows you why being Bill Bell's daughter was the only reason she has a job. 20 years on the Y&R and she still administers the same one-note emoting that David Caruso uses; only difference is that Caruso has real talent. I've seen better actresses in movies where the acting is secondary to something else.
Bottom line: If you love soaps you'll love this one but if you think soap operas are as legitimate as a WWE wrestling match then this won't change your mind.
A seriously dull film that thought it was good
bakingbread9 July 2006
I kept watching the film hoping for something interesting to happen... it was filmed as though it thought it would be interesting, and then the scenes towards the end were presented as though they thought it was a great film and we would all be in love with the characters... my only regret about this film, is that I didn't stop it after the first 20 minutes, when it was painfully obvious that it was going to be a complete waste of time.
I laughed perhaps three or four times in the film, and it had a few reflective moments on the boredom of balancing home life with work and evil bosses... which perhaps kept me watching in hope.
But they could have made the film much better... it was just too boring for way too long, in the end I was hoping that they would all be killed in nasty ways and it would turn into a delayed horror movie.
And then when they finally try and do something with the story, it ends with them all sitting around congratulating themselves on their own utter blandness, which was when I realised I had been lulled into a trance by the total boredom, and in a desperate attempt to regain some self-respect I switched off and missed the last few minutes.
Anyway... save yourself now while you still can.
I laughed perhaps three or four times in the film, and it had a few reflective moments on the boredom of balancing home life with work and evil bosses... which perhaps kept me watching in hope.
But they could have made the film much better... it was just too boring for way too long, in the end I was hoping that they would all be killed in nasty ways and it would turn into a delayed horror movie.
And then when they finally try and do something with the story, it ends with them all sitting around congratulating themselves on their own utter blandness, which was when I realised I had been lulled into a trance by the total boredom, and in a desperate attempt to regain some self-respect I switched off and missed the last few minutes.
Anyway... save yourself now while you still can.
Do not watch!
neilprivate15 August 2006
This is Hollywood movie-making at it's least inventive, least satisfying and least appealing. It's the worst film I ever downloaded, even for free I feel ripped off.
I can't imagine why anyone would give this anything more than 1/10. The 10s clearly have been written by cast and crew and studio.
Corbin Bernsen makles a dreadful director and I have to say his aacting here is less than pretty too. The rest of the cast overact and over dramatise every line. They look uncomfortable on screen and I really can't believe I am wasting more time writing about it.
Listen, I'm doing you a favour, do not rent buy or watch this through any other medium.
I can't imagine why anyone would give this anything more than 1/10. The 10s clearly have been written by cast and crew and studio.
Corbin Bernsen makles a dreadful director and I have to say his aacting here is less than pretty too. The rest of the cast overact and over dramatise every line. They look uncomfortable on screen and I really can't believe I am wasting more time writing about it.
Listen, I'm doing you a favour, do not rent buy or watch this through any other medium.
Carpool Guy - Great movie!
kpasa9631 October 2005
This movie was GREAT from start to finish, I was laughing, it was a feel-good movie! I mean terrific! And I'm not just saying that because my favorite stars are in it. It is good! A job well done to Corbin especially, and the talented cast & crew! Ric Hearst made a great lead actor, putting a lot of depth & comedy into the character. Tony Geary was just great as "The Carpool Guy", if you can just picture Tony as a comedic bum. Also Lauralee Bell was wonderful as Ric's wife, and Kristoff St John added comedy with his "not-so-gay" character. Sean Kanan made an excellent partner for Ric's character. It just goes to show that soap stars can do anything just as good, if not better than anyone in Hollywood!
terrific!
mattkratz18 March 2006
This was a refreshingly funny movie. The cast (consisting of mainly soap opera actors and actresses) was right on the money, and Rick Hearst and Anthony Geary were perfectly cast and made for a funny comedic duo. Hearst plays an advertising executive who always gets in trouble for being late to work and home, in part because he always gets stuck in traffic. His solution:he pays homeless Vietnam Vet Geary to ride with him so he can use the HOV lane. This works for a while until Geary turns out to be not what he seems. The same can be said for some of Hearst's co-workers and acquaintances. Overall, I found this movie to be consistently funny, and I recommend it. A must for soap fans!
*** out of ****
*** out of ****
"Carpool Guy" - comedy
lynique31 October 2005
Hilarious send-up of the cut-throat world of advertising starring many of favorite soap actors. I was amazed that they made me forget their soap identities and drew me in to the story of the movie. Filled with amusing soap opera "in-jokes" and a witty, clever script, Carpool Guy is a great way to spend an afternoon. The story really takes you for a ride -- pun intended! Soap legend Anthony Geary plays the title role; Rick Hearst shines as a young ad exec trying to get ahead in his career and be happy in his personal life, too. Sean Kanan with his sly grin is perfectly cast as the close pal and fellow exec vying with Rick for the top spot in the firm. Corbin Bernsen as both director and co-star never takes a mis-step. This is a laugh ha ha out loud flick.
Funny with top Soap Stars showing how good they really are!
fjmccarl24 October 2005
Carpool Guy is great fun with soap stars showing off their talent on the big screen. Corbin Bersen and Jeanne Cooper are hilarious as mom and son (in the movie). Tony Geary is the best carpool guy you will ever meet! He really lays the advertising world on it's ear.There are many "inside" jokes that soap fans will recognize immediately that add to the fun. You really need to get this film for the holidays if you are a soap fan, and even if you are not you will still laugh.Great fun and I've seen it three times!Additionally Lauralee Bell is a hoot as the wife and her "gay"(?) friend played by Kristoff St. John to a tee is not all he pretends to be, get it and enjoy it!
A must see if you're a soapy!
mfundofan-11 November 2005
Carpool Guy is a hoot. Tony Geary is his best in this comedic role ans the carpool guy. This is a must own move for soap fans as the insider jokes are pretty funny. If you are a Ric Hearst lover then this is absolutely the movie for you because Ric is very good and he plays his part to a tee. It was so good to see all the actors outside of their traditional soap roles and on the big screen. Get the DVD you'll find you'll watch it on lots of Saturdays with your friends it's silly and great for the giggle factor. I enjoyed the movie a lot and not just because I am a soapy but I got to see my favorite guys up on the big screen in all their glory.
Corbin does a wonderful job and maintains the humor of this film for us is so many ways...it's a great way to spend an afternoon.
Corbin does a wonderful job and maintains the humor of this film for us is so many ways...it's a great way to spend an afternoon.
Funny movie
cherryjig798326 March 2006
I did not expect serious, dramatic soap stars to be so happy & funny! Kristoff St. John & Jeanne Cooper were the funniest characters. I laughed the whole time. Kristoff really cracked me up because I never thought I'd see that side of him. Jeanne's comedic character had me almost cry-laughing. That really shows that soap celebrities have variety in their talent as well. This movie is BANGIN' TIGHT! I could watch it over & over again. The Special Features, especially the rehearsal part, were the funniest! It's also shockingly crazy, too. You'd really have to have a goofy personality to find this movie funny. It really is a trip! lol I don't care what anyone else thinks. I personally think that there should be a pert 2 & part 3 to this, with the exact same characters, but more humor in it. I just can't express how funny this is.
A man who is stuck both literally and figuratively at a point in his life . Everything begins to change as he discovers more about himself upon meeting the "Carpool Guy".
babyjulz8175 November 2005
I highly recommend this film! The acting and directing are very impressive. Corbin Bernsen has created a wonderful opportunity for the underrated actors of daytime by making this movie. It showcases the capabilities of these actors in a much different environment than we are used to seeing them in...and they are very funny in this movie. Kristoff St. John and Tony Geary are hilarious and Rick Hearst gives a wonderful performance as Joel. Carpool Guy is an absolute must-have for all soap fans! The inside soap jokes are a nice touch, but it is definitely an enjoyable movie not only for the soap fans, but for any fans of comedy.
Great "feel-good" movie
smdvoctech6 November 2005
I thought Carpool Guy was a great "feel-good" movie. Rick Hearst was exceptional as Joel Goodman. The movie was light-hearted and funny. The entire cast did an outstanding job. This film only serves to prove how talented daytime actors really are. Rick Hearst belongs on the big screen!!! I also thought that Corbin Bernsen did a fantastic job both acting and directing this movie. The movie made me realize how much we all take for granted in our everyday lives. Sometimes, things are staring you right in the face, and you don't take the time to notice. This movie is a comedic look at everyday life and the stresses of work and family that we all experience.
Carpool Guy is definitely worth seeing and buying!!!! What a great gift this would make for the movie lover in your family.
Carpool Guy is definitely worth seeing and buying!!!! What a great gift this would make for the movie lover in your family.
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