Starring: Rowan Atkinson, Tim Barlow, Jeff Goldblum, Neil Hamilton (II), John Inman Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: DVD Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC Label: Miramax Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: March 19, 2002 Running Time: 85 minutes Theatrical Release Date: September 21, 1990
Description: From the hit-making writer of NOTTING HILL and FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL, THE TALL GUY is a sharply funny story punctuated by the likable comic chemistry of popular stars Jeff Goldblum (JURASSIC PARK) and Emma Thompson (SENSE AND SENSIBILITY). Awkward and out-of-place, Dexter (Goldblum) is a hard-luck American actor struggling to get by on the theatrical stages of London. His dreary personal life, however, gets a much-needed shot in the arm when he meets a pretty nurse (Thompson) during one of his many visits to the local clinic. Together they find love ... but when your life is like Dexter's it's hard to know a good thing when you get it! With a wonderfully memorable performance by Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) and a stellar cast -- don't miss this smartly detailed and charmingly hilarious comedy treat!
Amazon.com: Falling in love can be glorious, or poignant, or heartwarming ... but for most of us, it's mostly just absurd. And The Tall Guy captures that hysterical, head-over-heels surrealism perfectly. Jeff Goldblum plays the neurotic, allergy-ridden Dexter King, a stage actor stuck in a dead-end job in an interminable run of London's tackiest comic review. He's the "tall guy," the eternal butt of slapstick gags delivered by the star performer, a brilliantly obnoxious Rowan Atkinson. Cupid's arrow strikes between sneezes when hay fever propels Dexter to the doctor's office--and he catches his first glance of Nurse Kate Lemmon (a pre-Shakespeare Emma Thompson). Battling his deep-seated fear of needles, Dexter invents excuses to get shots just to get close to her. After much pain (and much prodding from Dexter's oddly maternal nymphomaniac landlady), their courtship takes off. (Kate's practical dating philosophy--have sex first, so you know if all those expensive dinners will actually be worth it--leads to one of the most comically destructive love scenes ever filmed.) Dexter, giddy with new love, gets fired--and lands the title role in Elephant!, a musical version of The Elephant Man (one heartwarming hit: "Somewhere in Heaven, There's an Angel with Big Ears"). But his curvaceous leading lady develops a champagne-fueled passion for pachyderms ... and Dexter's in yet another sticky situation.
As British romances go, The Tall Guy owes more to TV's Fawlty Towers than The English Patient--but what it lacks in depth, it makes up in sheer comedy. --Grant Balfour
A good movie, (only if you like the actors) This is an early work of Richard Curtis, based on his exaggerated experience in a comedy revue with Rowan Atkinson, who also starred in the movie. I guess I won't tell you the summary, you can probably find that anywhere, but I will tell you about the DVD quality and possibly help you decide whether you should add this dvd to your collection. I highly recommend this DVD to anyone who is a fan of Richard Curtis, Rowan Atkinson, Emma Thompson, or Rowan Atkinson. I found that the storyline is to the level of Curtis's latest work, like Four Weddings.., and Love Actually. But, if you are a fan of Emma Thompson, you will love her in this one. If you are a fan of Rowan, he's do malicious in this and you will love to hate him. The DVD quality is great, great picture and sound, so if you are on the verge of a decision whether to buy it or not, ask yourself if you like these actors, do you like Richard Curtis, do you like to add to your collection a classic piece of work from great actors who are at the early path of their career.
Funny, sexy, and wellwritten This is a very funny, well-acted piece, for anyone who loves real, true comedy. It is a very perceptive commentary on the world of theatre, and the very idea of a musical comedy version of the tragic Elephant Man just makes me laugh again and again. Jeff Goldblum and Emma Thompson are really great!
Unwatchable A horrible, terrible movie. No pacing, no wit (Elephant Man as a musical is leagues away from Springtime for Hitler folks) and a gutless waste of many talents. If you're considering purchasing this movie, I beg of you, rent it first. If you can make it through the first ten minutes without wanting to hurl yourself out the window, good on ya. Otherwise, count your blessings that you won't embarrass yourself by having it on the shelf when company comes by. Oy what a terrible movie.
They said it was funny...but they lie like a rug! They said it was funny...but they lie like a rug! This is a movie that was too painful to watch. I had to fast-forward through 80% of it just to stay awake.
Small cast, big laughs A very enjoyable romantic comedy from a time in the world before the public had seen Emma Thompson in her more widely-known sterling roles in "Henry V" and "Remains of the Day." While the film, at times, seems like it is still in short-pants before 'maturing' to the likes of "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "Notting Hill", it is charming, lighthearted fare in which the viewer roots for the hapless 'Tall Guy', played by Jeff Goldblum. Guy observes his sad life, meets the off-of-center girl, they fall in love, her influence makes him a better man, he bungles their relationship and he ultimately risks losing her and her meaningfulness. Only in the end do we see if he can redeem himself, and we hope that he does. Comedic pillar Rowan Atkinson plays the thoroughly enjoyable bane in Goldblum's life, the shape of which nods to those familiar with Woody Allen's film work, fraught with the usual sorts of personal anxieties, quirky tenement characters and jabs made at the acting profession, the medical industry and typical relationship hang-ups. This movie is fun, how can it not be? It includes a musical based on the life of the Elephant Man (Elephant!), Annie Hall-style (or if you will, Ally McBeal-style) character-imagined scenarious played out to great effect, and the kind of culinary love scene you wish could have been seen in "9 1/2 Weeks". Too bad this film is no longer in production, but it is worth the price of a purchase on Amazon.com.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Tony's Online Tips
Trevor
