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

The car that races to the Hospital at the end of the film (a blue Aston Martin registration "COMIC") belonged to Rowan Atkinson. Dexter is pulled over by the police for speeding, just in the same way Atkinson was in real life, in the very same car. Atkinson received a driving ban as a result of the incident.

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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

Prostitute: Care for a fuck, big boy?
Dexter: No thanks, just had 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 American DVD release is different to the original British version. Several scenes are missing or shortened on the DVD. This includes the scene in which Goldblum is sitting in his agent's office watching other actors reading for great new plays and films, while he is offered a "shake and vac" commercial. Also inexplicably cut from the DVD release is the cameo appearance by Graham "Suggs" McPherson (from "Madness") during the "It Must Be Love" sequence.

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Connections

Featured in 100 Greatest Sexy Moments (2003)

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Soundtracks

La Gazza Ladra (The Thieving Magpie)
(uncredited)
Music by Gioachino Rossini

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.