A nasty comedian's assistant has allergy induced sneezes, giving problems at work, et cetera. He accepts weekly injections after seeing the cute nurse. After a dozen injections, he finally asks her out.
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Title: The Tall Guy (1989)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Jeff Goldblum | ... | Dexter King | |
| Emma Thompson | ... | Kate | |
| Rowan Atkinson | ... | Ron Anderson | |
| Geraldine James | ... | Carmen | |
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Emil Wolk | ... | Charlie |
| Kim Thomson | ... | Cheryl | |
| Harold Innocent | ... | Timothy | |
| Anna Massey | ... | Mary | |
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Joanna Kanska | ... | Tamara |
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Peter Kelly | ... | Gavin |
| Tim Barlow | ... | Mr. Morrow (as Timothy Barlow) | |
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Hugh Thomas | ... | Dr. Karabekian |
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Charles Augins | ... | Choreographer |
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Peter Brewis | ... | Freddy |
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Joolia Cappleman | ... | Costume Designer |
Learn more
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Plot Summary
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Add Synopsis
Storyline
Dexter King (Jeff Goldblum) plays straight man to unpleasant comedian Ron Anderson (Rowan Atkinson). He falls in love with Kate (Dame Emma Thompson), 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. Written by Alexander Lum <aj_lum@postoffice.utas.edu.au>
Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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Written by Mae Boren Axton (as M. Axton), Tommy Durden (as T. Durden) & Elvis Presley (as E. Presley)
Performed by Sam Williams
By Courtesy of Mills Music Ltd.
See more »
Did You Know?
Goofs
Cheryl trails her fingers across the piano keys; the sound is not heard until after the cutaway. See more »Crazy Credits
Michael Fitzgerald's full credit in the movie is "Man with vacuum cleaner tube up his bottom." See more »Alternate Versions
The American video release contains dubbed replacements of much British slang. See more »Connections
Featured in At the Movies: Goodfellas/Narrow Margin/Funny About Love/The Tall Guy (1990) See more »Soundtracks
Heartbreak HotelWritten by Mae Boren Axton (as M. Axton), Tommy Durden (as T. Durden) & Elvis Presley (as E. Presley)
Performed by Sam Williams
By Courtesy of Mills Music Ltd.
See more »
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Details
Country:
UKLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
21 September 1990 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
The Tall Guy See more »Edit
Box Office
Opening Weekend USA:
$91,131, 23 September 1990Gross USA:
$510,712Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$510,712Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
DolbyColor:
Color (Eastmancolor)Aspect Ratio:
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I had never heard of The Tall Guy, and essentially still haven't, until it was shown on television a few years ago at about two o'clock in the morning. I was idly flicking channels and came across a scene with Jeff Goldblum and Rowan Atkinson. Thinking to myself that this was an interesting-looking cast, I stayed with it, and was later also introduced to Emma Thompson, and much to my surprise, extremely small one-line roles for Angus Deayton, Robin Driscoll and Charles Augins.
It was fun while it lasted. Rowan Atkinson has some more memorable scenes as a snide, unlikeable character, and Jeff Goldblum is actually quite fascinating in romantic, love-me mode.
Considering it was very late at night, I hope I can be forgiven for not regurgitating the plot correctly here, but I seem to remember that Goldblum played a reluctant straight-man to Atkinson in his stage show and decided to step out on his own, which eventually led to him getting the lead role in a musical production of "The Elephant Man". I'm not sure if it was all as corny as that sounds but it was roughly it. It was certainly enough fodder for a few laughs and a few smiles all around. I wouldn't mind viewing this film again while fully awake, but I'm sure it would be just as entertaining. I give this one three stars out of five.