The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch (2004)

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

Director:

Eric Idle

Writer:

Eric Idle

Stars:

Eric Idle, Neil Innes, Ricky Fataar

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Eric Idle	...	Narrator / Dirk McQuickly / Lady Beth Mouse-Peddler
Neil Innes	...	Ron Nasty (archive footage)
Ricky Fataar	...	Stig O'Hara (archive footage)
John Halsey	...	Barry Wom (archive footage)
Terence Bayler	...	Leggy Mountintaback (archive footage)
Mariela Comitini	...	Jennifer Lopez
Peter Crabbe	...	Police Officer
Jimmy Fallon	...	Melvin's Son
Tasha Goldthwait	...	Rutles Fan (as Tasha Goldthwaite)
Samantha Harris	...	The Jogger
Lily Idle	...	Rutles Fan
Bianca Jagger	...	Martini (archive footage)
Bill Murray	...	Bill Murray the K (archive footage)
Kevin Nealon	...	Kevin Wongle
Catherine O'Hara	...	Astro Glide

Storyline

After sitting on a Warner Brothers shelf for over a year, "The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch", the much-anticipated sequel to Eric Idle and Gerard Corvin's 1978 mockumentary, is finally on release, revealing the final exploits of The Rutles as they do a reunion tour of America. Documentor Dirk McQuickly (Eric Idle) interviews many artists and personalities who were inspired by the legendary band, from David Bowie to Tom Hanks.

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Plot Keywords:

reference to the beatles | sequel | written and directed by cast member | second part | fake documentary | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

2002 appears as the copyright at the end of the movie.

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Crazy Credits

No Executives were harmed during the making of this film.

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Connections

Spoofs The Beatles Anthology (1995)

User Reviews

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. ** out of ****

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros. [United States]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 November 2004 (Hungary)

Also Known As:

Can't Buy Me Lunch: Another Look at the Rutles

Filming Locations:

Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Above Average Productions Inc., Broadway Video, Rutle Corp

Technical Specs

Runtime:

56 min (DVD release)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1