The Tall Guy (1989)

Dexter King plays straight man to unpleasant comedian Ron Anderson. He falls in love with Kate, a pretty nurse he meets when he is receiving injections for hay fever. When Anderson fires ... See full summary »

Director:

Mel Smith

Writer:

Richard Curtis

Stars:

Jeff Goldblum, Rowan Atkinson, Emma Thompson

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jeff Goldblum	...	Dexter King
Emma Thompson	...	Kate
Rowan Atkinson	...	Ron Anderson
Geraldine James	...	Carmen
Emil Wolk	...	Charlie
Kim Thomson	...	Cheryl
Harold Innocent	...	Timothy
Anna Massey	...	Mary
Joanna Kanska	...	Tamara
Peter Kelly	...	Gavin
Tim Barlow	...	Mr. Morrow (as Timothy Barlow)
Hugh Thomas	...	Dr. Karabekian
Charles Augins	...	Choreographer
Peter Brewis	...	Freddy
Joolia Cappleman	...	Costume Designer

Storyline

Dexter King plays straight man to unpleasant comedian Ron Anderson. He falls in love with Kate, a pretty nurse he meets when he is receiving injections for hay fever. When Anderson fires him, he acquires the title role in a musical stage version of "The Elephant Man". Kate dumps him when she suspects he is having an affair with a fellow cast member, and he must win her back.

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Plot Keywords:

injection | hay fever | elephant | elephant man | love | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 September 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

2 metri di allergia

Filming Locations:

2 Roman Way, Islington, London, England, UK

Box Office

Gross USA:

$510,712

Company Credits

Production Co:

London Weekend Television (LWT), Virgin Vision, Working Title Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

First feature film of Jason Isaacs.

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Goofs

(at around 1h 6 mins) In a hallway made of bricks, a drunk character falls against the walls and onto the floor, causing the "brick" set to wobble.

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Quotes

Tamara: I'm not wearing any underwear.
Dexter: Is that, uh... is that... wise?
Tamara: Screw wisdom! Who wants to be wise?
Dexter: The Dalai Lama, to name but one.

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Crazy Credits

Michael Fitzgerald's full credit in the movie is "Man with vacuum cleaner tube up his bottom."

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Alternate Versions

The UK TV version contains some re-filmed scenes. For example, when Dexter is auditioning for the Berkoff play, everybody says "Sod off" on TV (as opposed to "F*ck off" in the theatrical version).

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Connections

Featured in There's Something About Romcoms (2016)

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Soundtracks

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
Written by Neil Sedaka & Howard Greenfield
Performed by Philip Pope
Published by Screen Gems-EMI Music Ltd.

User Reviews

Tall Guy--a romp for the cast!

This is a very funny film. Jeff Goldblum and Emma Thompson are stand-outs. Rowan Atkinson is excellent as a smarmy "leading man" in the musical "Elephant!" who tries to sink Goldblum's chances in the musical.

The love scenes with Thompson and Goldblum are inspired, particularly the first time they have sex. I can't recall a film that treats the act in such a spontaneous, slapstick and totally hilarious manner as it's done here. The actor's quirky takes and interaction are most funny, and the entire film is simply a delight.

I've told many friends to seek out this movie, and those who have taken my advice have thanked me profusely for letting them know about it.

I can't recommend it too highly--for a fun night alone, or with your special someone. It'll put a smile on your face you can't wipe off.